You Can Grow New Brain Cells, Regardless of Age. Here’s How
Did you know that our body can grow new neurons as we are getting old? Yes that’s right, according to Sandrine Thuret, a well-known neuroscientist, we, as adults can grow new neurons. She has done a research on this issue and gives several tips on how to stimulate the growth of new neurons that will increase the function of our brains. The new neurons will improve our mood, increase our memory and prevent the decline linked with age.
This article may look ridiculous to you if you are familiar with the field of neurology. However, it is a fact that adults can grow new brain cells no matter what their age is. According to researchers back in 2005 : “the discovery that the adult mammalian brain creates new neurons from pools of stemlike cells was a breakthrough in neuroscience”.
The initial belief was that once the brain cells are lost or depleted, they couldn’t be regrown. Fortunately, this proved as untrue. Neurogenesis is the process of developing new brain cells and it is most active during pre-natal development. During adulthood, two parts of the brain are still developing: they are known as sub ventricular zone and the hippocampus.
In the field of neurogenesis, there is one person who really deserves to be given credit for his work. At first his work wasn’t considered seriously, but during the 90’s it was regarded as a priority .
In addition to memory and learning, some neuronal effects are found in the regulation of stress and some beneficial mechanisms of certain antidepressants.
Tips on How to Boost Neurogenesis
1. Exercise
Walking or any other type of exercise is directly connected to neurogenesis and this has been scientifically proved. Namely, 45 minutes of walking daily results in new hippocampal tissue growth.
Exercise provides a wide range of emotional and mental health benefits as well. Various studies have shown that exercise is extremely beneficial to neurogensis, even protecting against Alzheimer`s disease.
2. Curcumin
In experiments conducted to laboratory rats, curcumin has shown to affect neurogenesis. It increases neuropathic factor expression, which is vital for various neurological functions
3. Green Tea
Green tea has a compound kniwn as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has been connected with the growth of new brain cells. Scientifically: “EGCG treatment significantly increased the number of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-labeled cells in adult hippocampal neural progenitor cell (NPC) cultures and in the dentate gyrus of adult mice.”
So, if you consume green tea or tale EGCG supplements, the rates that your neurons will grow are increased.
4. Blueberries
Blueberries on the other hand contain flavonoids which are also extremely beneficial for the growth of new neurons. Not only you will be enjoying their taste, but you will reap their cognitive effects, too. So, start eating them daily.
Note: It is worth mentioning that neurogenesis resembles taking a supplement. While increasing your intake of supplements and foods which promote neurogenesis is beneficial, it will have little effect if your lifestyle and diet are of poor quality.
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