Fasting promotes autophagy, a vital recycling process, and stimulates the growth factor BDNF. Autophagy is impaired in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. BDNF is crucial for brain health, and low levels are associated with depression. Hence, fasting improves brain health by multiple mechanisms.
While fasting has been performed in one form or another throughout history, the main objectives for this practice seem to center around religious or weight management objectives. More recently however, interest is growing in regards to how fasting affects cognitive function. Indeed, it has been proposed that the brain and body seem to perform better during fasting periods. CLICK TO REVIEW