There is accumulating evidence that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be playing a role in human depression. BDNF controls the growth of new nerve cells, and “so, low levels [may explain the] atrophy of specific brain areas… [you see] among depressed patients.” That may be one of the reasons exercise is so good for our brains. Start an hour-a-day exercise regimen, and within three months you can get a quadrupling of BDNF release from your brain.
This makes sense. Any time we were desperate to catch prey or desperate not to become prey ourselves, we needed to be cognitively sharp. And so, when we’re fasting or exercising and in a negative calorie balance, our brain starts churning out BDNF to make sure we’re firing on all cylinders. So, of course Big Pharma is eager to create drugs to mimic this effect, but is there any way to boost BDNF naturally? Yes, I just said it—fasting and exercise! Okay, okay; but is there anything we can add to our diet to boost BDNF?
