Green Smoothie to
Keep Your Brain Healthy
Video shared by Dr. Bryan Stephens
I know I wrote a synopsis and the surprise that chocolate can be healthy, but I was recently listening to a podcast on brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and heard some new information I wanted to share with you.
First, what is brain derived neurotropic factor? It is a protein that plays an important role in nerve growth and maintenance of nerve health. It encourages growth of neurons when needed and is crucial for long term memory.
Second, why is this protein so important? Some of the more recent discoveries revolve around brain derived neurotropic factor’s assistance in maintaining and promoting neuroplasticity. Essentially, this means that it helps promote our ability to learn new things more easily and use higher cognitive functions.
It is also important to keep our levels stable as lowered BDNF has been associated with schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and epilepsy. It has also been noted that aging can cause a decrease in plasma BDNF volume.
So, how do we help elevate our BDNF levels? This is where the chocolate comes in. Cacao can help increase our levels as well as act as a high antioxidant. Don’t think this is a free pass to grab some milk chocolate as the sugar will create more inflammation in the body and you don’t get the health benefits with it. Keep with the dark chocolate of at least 72% cocoa. High intensity exercises have also been shown to help improve the BDNF levels.
Hopefully, you have had sufficient BDNF levels and remember to keep up the good work with keeping inflammation down and keeping your body and brain healthy.
Recipe
- 1 cup spinach
- ½ frozen organic banana
- ½ frozen organic green apple
- Small handful of organic almonds
- ½ tsp organic cacao nibs
- Innate Choice TM probiotics
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