The cognitive effects of fasting
Intermittent fasting is certainly one of the “trendier” approaches that health-conscious people are taking in hopes of improving their overall health and fitness. What even some of the most well-informed fitness enthusiasts don’t realize is that fasting can actually have several cognitive benefits as well as improve your physical fitness.
Interestingly enough, periods of fasting sufficient to cause depletion of liver glycogen stores (14–16 hours) trigger a metabolic switch toward the use of fatty acids and ketones. Your brain actually uses these as a secondary fuel source. Periodic flipping of the metabolic switch not only provides the ketones that are necessary to fuel cells during the fasting period but also elicits highly orchestrated systemic and cellular responses that carry over into the fed state to bolster mental performance.
The science
These responses trigger noteworthy increases in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and cAMP Response Element-Binding Protein (CREB), which improve working memory, long-term memory, and protect against neurodegenerative disease. BDNF is pivotal in synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and neuronal stress resistance. CREB, on the other hand, is linked to the preservation of long-term memory.
That’s not all. Research by Lee and Kim (2010) support that increased BDNF can positively influence mood and depression. The specific diseases that BDNF and CREB can help protect you from include Alzheimer’s according to Halagappa et al., 2007, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s according to Duan and Mattson (2009), and even strokes according to Arumugam et al., 2010. If you’re starting to see a lot of appeal in this, I can assure you that you’re not alone.
It might seem impossible that fasting could improve brain function and help avoid terribly unfortunate diseases. After all, we are constantly told our whole lives that eating food is key to reaching optimal performance. This isn’t incorrect, either. But balancing the right diet with the right type of fasting is actually the formula to achieve peak condition.
Evolutionary arguments
Looking at this from a historical perspective further bolsters the case I’m making. Humans have evolved through countless adaptations that are neglected in today’s modern, technologically advanced world, and emulating our ancestors (who fasted daily for millions of years) allows us to hone in on the biological advantages that propelled their genetic material forward. From a genetic and evolutionary standpoint, intermittent fasting makes more sense than any other approach to eating.
It’s important not to judge health tips based on what is easy and what is not. Don’t be a product of comfort and convenience. Start fasting daily and you will discover that your peak intelligence is even higher than you think!
And if you have any questions about intermittent fasting or how to apply these findings to your life, feel free to ask below.
