Filling Up on Brain Fuel

The brain is the organ that requires the most oxygen for its function. Oxygen is the brain’s main fuel.

Physical activity or exercise is an excellent way to increase blood flow and release more oxygen to the brain. It improves your entire body’s circulation, but can really jump start your mind. Exercise can cause what some may describe as a “natural high”.

The Brain’s Natural Drug

Endorphins, (which are proteins that are natural pain relievers), are released when exercising, giving the body the feeling like it is exhilarated and happy. This will also help with stress and feelings of depression.

People who are physically active are shown to be more confident and have higher self-esteem. Depression and anxiety are both conditions that are treated with medications, but with physical exercise and activity, it lowers the body’s demand for those medications. The body is able to self medicate when active.

Pumping Up the Brain

Exercise gets your blood flowing naturally. When exercising, the amount of oxygen flow the brain requires increases, which also increases the blood flow. It is a great way to refuel your brain and can cause some people who feel like they have lowered energy levels, to get a second wind. Studies also show that exercise makes your brain more efficient.

The smallest exercise or physical activities can get that oxygen and blood flowing through your body. Performing an aerobic routine, riding a bike or walking briskly for a short amount of time can really get your body and mind going.

Smart Brain

Exercise also boosts brain cell production in the learning portion of your brain, and therefore adds more brain power. There is a correlation between exercise and getting smarter while doing so.

It helps clear the mind and a person may be able to think more clearly and perform better, once this is achieved. The brain starts making more room to learn more with the production of new cells. The more the brain is able to hold and obtain, the better it is.

The Future of Your Brain

Accumulated exercise over the years and the constant flow of oxygen and blood to your brain, paired with building new cells in the brain call help lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease from setting in when you get older. This is also true with other mental problems, like dementia that elderly people can commonly be diagnosed with. The benefits that are long lasting from exercise that affect your brain include helping with attention span, memory and decision making skills. Both memory and attention span are two of the most common characteristics often lost when a person has Alzheimer’s disease.

The more a person can do for their mind and body at a younger age can determine the condition all of it will be in the future. If people start a regular regimen of healthy exercise, they will notice the positive and natural effects of blood and oxygen flowing to their brain.

Sources:

http://www.livescience.com/health/060106_astrocytes_blood.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17050486/

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/17/eveningnews/main2368898.shtml

Try a natural solution to help keep you focused.