This is what science says about exercise and the size of your brain.
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction
0:19 Why exercise keeps your brain from shrinking as you age
1:42 What causes brain shrinkage?
2:11 Bulletproof your immune system
In this video, we’re going to talk about why exercise keeps your brain from shrinking as you age.
A randomized controlled trial on 120 older adults found that there’s an increase in the volume of the front part of the hippocampus when doing aerobic exercise.
This is the part of the brain that controls spatial memory—your ability to remember locations and understand where you are in relation to other locations. The hippocampus is one of the only parts of the brain that can regenerate.
Exercise also increases blood flow to the hippocampus.
Exercise also caused an increase in BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) in the hippocampus. This helps regrow the brain.
What causes the brain to shrink?
• Aging
• Stress
• High blood sugar
What helps you avoid brain shrinkage?
• Exercise • Intermittent fasting
• Vitamin B1
In summary, exercise, intermittent fasting, and maintaining healthy nutrient levels are some of the best things you can do to help avoid brain shrinkage as you age.
Dr. Eric Berg
08/31/2023
