A few years ago, most researchers were convinced that the shape and functioning of the brain was fixed a few years after birth. Any change that occurred afterwards was a negative one: loss of brain cells due to alcohol or other toxic substances, brain damage due to blows to the head, deterioration due to age or illness. It was convinced that no new brain cells were formed in the adult brain. This appears to be a mistake.
New brain cells are still being produced in our adult brains. And that process, that neurogenesisis called, is stimulated by exercise. Exercising has a beneficial effect on the skills that appeal to planning and coming up with strategies. The effects are most evident in those who train for at least 30 minutes per session and who continue the training for at least six months.
Eat flax seeds and fish
Our brains consist of 60% fats that fulfill various functions, from useful to downright unhealthy. Saturated fats provoke atherosclerosis: the blood vessels narrow and blood circulation is compromised. We discussed what that means for the brain in point 1. Not to mention the increased risk of stroke. Saturated fats must therefore be limited!
Adequate exercise also keeps the heart and blood vessels healthy and ensures the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain, which is absolutely necessary because our brain cells devour oxygen and energy to function properly. Although they make up only 2% of the total body volume, they use 20% of all oxygen absorbed through the lungs and 25% of all energy. If they do not get enough oxygen and energy, things will stop. To meet the needs of that greedy brain, the heart and blood vessels must function optimally.
And then there is a third advantage: exercise influences the chemistry of the brain, more specifically the neurotransmitters that are important for internal communication. You may have already experienced it for yourself: you gather all your courage to put on your running shoes or to ride on your bike after a hard day's work and afterwards it turns out that not only your tiredness has been replaced by blissful relaxation feeling, but you can also concentrate much better. This is due to the endorphins - a certain type of neurotransmitters - that are released during exercise.
