Health New Update: Two diets linked to better brain health, slowed aging!

Mark Smith • September 23, 2024

Hello again:

 

In the last blog I reviewed how science knows that sugar can cause harm to your brain. Now I will share a report on two diets that have been shown to improve brain function and slow brain aging in older adults with insulin resistance (over-fueling with sugars and processed carbs):


Highlights

·      8 weeks of 5:2 intermittent fasting caused more weight loss than healthy living diet

·      Both diets reduced neuronal insulin resistance and the pace of brain aging

·      Both diets improved memory and executive function, with 5:2 intermittent fasting more so

·      Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease did not change (minimal changes that were positive but not statistically strong) with either diet


Participants were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of an IF (Intermittent Fasting) diet or a HL (Healthy Living) diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy and limits added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.

The IF diet involved following the HL diet for 5 days per week and restricting calories to a quarter of the recommended daily intake for 2 consecutive days.


https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/abstract/S1550-4131(24)00225-0

 

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/two-diets-linked-improved-cognition-slowed-brain-aging-2024a1000dqj?src=FYE&ecd=WNL_recnlnew4_broad_US_perso_etid6713129&uac=428598BV&240801&impID=6713129


Bottom Line:

 

Your food can be your medicine or a slow poison. Imagine a consistent dietary pattern where you consume the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) and how this will slowly erode your health and destroy your brain. Long term food choices that are low in nutrients, high in unbalanced carbs, fats, and protein, low in fiber and accompanied by additives, preservatives, taste and texture enhancing chemicals, addictive chemicals, added sugars, and toxic pesticides is what defines the most common dietary pattern in our country. This food pattern especially damages children. Many families report that when they shift to a healthy living dietary pattern, that their children’s moods, behaviors, and grades improve dramatically. Eating right benefits brain health at ALL ages. Now you know that there is a way out, and now that you know, what will you do?

 

“Intermittent fasting and healthy living improved executive function and memory, with intermittent fasting benefiting more certain cognitive measures.”

 

For more about 5:2 intermittent fasting, read ‘The Longevity Diet’ by Valter Longo, PhD.

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