Just like oxygen is essential for the body to function properly, so is the BDNF essential for the proper functioning of the brain. A lot of researchers have done lots of surveys to show the importance of the BDNF and how important it is to the human brain. However, let’s get to know more about the BDNF.
What is BDNF?
BDNF which means Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is the one way your brain ensures that your brain is functioning at its best. Close your eyes and picture yourself in your 80s or even your 100s. Imagine that your brain, cognitive abilities, and mental capacity are as sharp and functional as it is today. That is almost impossible you might think but healthy BDNF levels can ensure that.
The BDNF is one of the most active neurotrophins; a chemical in the brain that helps in the birthing of new brain cells and the formation of neural connections. www.bosterbio.com makes us understand that It is that protein in your brain that functions as a fertilizer, growing and flourishing your brain cells and making them stronger and active. The BDNF Elisa test can check BDNF levels in your brain helping you stay abreast of your BDNF levels.
The Importance of BDNF
The human brain is the most rewarded human organ in the body whenever the BDNF level is high. High levels of this little protein in your brain reset your brain aiding you to learn faster, remember easily and age slowly mentally. Your memory is ever ready to learn, retain and remember with higher BDNF levels. Here are few other reasons BDNF is important:
1. Boosts loss of weight
Research associates lowered BDNF to obesity hence if you want to go on a weight loss journey, just ensure to increase your BDNF levels and the best weight loss results await you.
2. Increased Neuroplasticity
BDNF aids the bouncing back of damaged brain cells when a brain injury occurs. With high BDNF this process is quicker and better and stronger neurons are produced to replace the dead brain cells.
3. Improved sleep
Increased BDNF levels help you to sleep better as it increases slow brain waves during the deepest stage of sleep.
4. Eases depression
Your BDNF makes your neural pathways even more flexible thereby curbing depression.
5. Protection against neurodegenerative diseases
The older you get, the more susceptible you become to certain neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. However, a higher BDNF lowers your risk of developing these health conditions as you grow older.
How to increase your BDNF
As you age, your BDNF levels plummet. This is often a natural phenomenon but can be taken care of with a carefully thought out routine. A few daily habits can help your body release more BDNF in your brain to keep your brain switches all through your lifetime. Here are few ways to ensure that your BDNF levels stay high.
1. Drink Coffee
Early morning coffee has a way of putting a bright smile on your face but it doesn’t stop at that; it gifts your BDNF a lift too. Coffee especially the one from Coffee Arabica is known to be very potent at increasing BDNF levels as it contains antioxidants and polyphenols that boost BDNF levels.
2. Meditation
Stress is an enemy to your BDNF and decreases it every time it gets. Meditation seeps the pent-up stress that your body harbors out thereby increasing BDNF levels. So every day you wake up, ensure to sit up and meditate for 5 minutes before getting into the day’s activities.
3. Some Fresh Air and Sun
This might sound cliché but have you tried it out and got no results? Exposure to sunlight increases your BDNF. However, a walk in the sun in an environment with the freshest air improves your mood, boosts the production of Vitamin D in your body, and decreases your susceptibility to skin cancer.
So take that beach walk barely clad if you have to but don’t stay out too long so that you don’t get sunburnt. 10-20 minutes every day is enough to get the photoreceptors in your retinas and on your skin getting enough UV rays to keep your BDNF levels up.
Conclusion
There are a lot more things you can do to get your BDNF levels up. These include; exercise, intermittent fasting, etc. So gift yourself a retirement present; increase your BDNF levels and ensure it stays at its normal range.
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