Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) is a protein that plays an important role in hippocampal neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and mitochondrial and DNA repair of neurons. Along with increased ketone production, this protein improves memory and brain function and wards off neurodegenerative disease by helping the brain create and protect new brain cells and connections.
A sedentary lifestyle and high carb diet without adequate fatty acid intake leads to low BDNF levels. Decreased levels of BDNF are associated with diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Huntington's and Multiple Sclerosis.
Increase of ketones and BDNF can be achieved through regular prolonged fasting or energy (carbohydrate) restriction combined with physical exercise and polyunstaturated fatty acid intake. Canabis also promotes hippocampal neurogenesis through supplementation of the (often deficient) endocannabinoid system. The building blocks for this system, endocannabinoids, are synthesized from fatty acids like DHA.
When the body is depleted of carbohydrates, it uses fatty acids such as Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to create BDNF. If this fatty acid is not replaced in diet after exercise, it can lead to cognitive and physical decline, as it is needed in the endocannabinoid system and in neuronal and retinal tissue.
Many other vitamins, such as B complex and vitamin D also supplement the endocannabinoid system and play a role in BDNF production and therefore need to be consumed regularly to delay neruodegeneration.
Sources:
Bathina, S., & Das, U. N. (2015). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its clinical implications. Archives of medical science : AMS, Vol. 11(6), pp. 1164–1178.
Jiang, W., Zhang, Y., Xiao, L.,et al (2005). Cannabinoids promote embryonic and adult hippocampus neurogenesis and produce anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects. The Journal of clinical investigation, Vol. 115(11), pp. 3104–3116.
Khairy, E. Y., & Attia, M. M. (2019). Protective effects of vitamin D on neurophysiologic alterations in brain aging: role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Nutritional neuroscience, 1–10. Advance online publication.
Kwak, Y. S., & Lim, S. Y. (2018). The combined impacts of docosahexaenoic acid, endurance physical exercise, and prolonged fasting on brain function. Journal of exercise rehabilitation, Vol. 14(4), pp. 540–544.
Lim, S. Y., & Kwak, Y. S. (2019). Effect of nutrients and exhaustive exercise on brain function. Journal of exercise rehabilitation, Vol. 15(3), pp. 341–345.
Montero-Odasso, M., et al (2018). SYNERGIC TRIAL (SYNchronizing Exercises, Remedies in Gait and Cognition) a multi-Centre randomized controlled double blind trial to improve gait and cognition in mild cognitive impairment. BMC geriatrics, Vol. 18(1), pp. 93
Ramsden, C. E., et al (2015). Diet-induced changes in n-3- and n-6-derived endocannabinoids and reductions in headache pain and psychological distress. The journal of pain : official journal of the American Pain Society, Vol. 16(8), pp. 707–716.
Oooh, another really good cannabis research article. You're on a roll again @MediKatie.
One question. This seems to indicate it's not healthy to have a high sugar intake, but later it seems to say it's unhealthy to have a low sugar intake. Are both correct, or was I misunderstanding?
High sugar or carb diet is bad for brain health, so "regular" fasting, like having a fasting sesh once a month, or fasting cardio in the morning kicks the body's metabolism into a different mode and it eats up fatty acids resulting in good health. If we never go into that mode, or there isn't enough fatty acids and vitamins to replace what was used up, it can cause disease. That's my understanding anyway. I'm not really sure how the fasting (starvation to create ketones) works in diabetics. I've heard controversial results. More research is needed....but 2am isn't the time...or is it hehehe.
Reblogged for 'fat dabs'
nice study
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