The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

The Brain Professor: "Popular Treat Now Considered Deadlier Than Smoking!", "Alcohol Is Shrinking Your Brain" - David Raichlen

Feb 8, 2024

David Raichlen, Professor of Human and Evolutionary Biology, discusses the connection between human evolution, physical activity, and health. Topics include the dangers of sitting, the link between exercise and the brain, and the misunderstanding of exercise requirements for health benefits.

01:20:04

Episode guests

David Raichlen

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining brain health and preventing cognitive decline.

Breaking up prolonged sitting with regular movement can help mitigate the negative health outcomes associated with excessive sitting.

Continued learning, cognitive engagement, and maintaining social connections are all important for preserving brain health and preventing cognitive decline.

Deep dives

The importance of physical activity for brain health

Physical activity is crucial for maintaining brain health and preventing cognitive decline. Studies have shown that exercise can promote the growth of new neurons in key areas of the brain, such as the hippocampus, which is essential for memory. Both aerobic exercise and resistance training have been linked to cognitive benefits, and combining physical activity with cognitive challenges can enhance these effects. Regular physical activity is especially important in preventing neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia and Alzheimer's.

Reducing Sedentary Behavior for Brain Health

01:21

Optimal Time of Day to Exercise and Starting from Zero

02:04

The Link Between Physical Activity and Brain Health

01:46

Grief, Depression, and Memory Decline

01:19

Introduction

2min

The Impact of Physical Activity on Brain Health

14min

Benefits of Combining Physical Activity and Cognitive Challenges

12min

The Impact of Physical Activity and Sitting on Our Health

15min

The Impact of Educational Engagement on Cognitive Aging

21min

Understanding the Misconception of Exercise Requirements

4min

Nutrition and Lifestyle Choices, Cognitive Decline, and Memory Reduction

4min

Cognitive Decline and Loss of a Loved One

5min

Expressing Gratitude and Introduction of a Sponsor

2min

As humans we have evolved to move, but why are we getting it wrong so often?

David Raichlen is the Professor of Human and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Southern California. His research focuses on the connection between human evolution, physical activity, and health, examining why inactivity leads to so many chronic diseases in the modern world.

In this conversation David and Steven discuss topics, such as how modern exercise levels compare to hunter-gatherers, the dangers of sitting, how air pollution is linked to dementia, and the misunderstanding of just how much exercise it takes to get health benefits.

00:00 Intro

01:59 My Work: How Lifestyle & Exercise Affects the Brain

03:07 You Can Change an Ageing Brain

05:22 What Is a Neuron?

05:36 What Is the Hippocampus

07:28 The Link Between Exercise and Brain

09:06 What Happens to Our Brain When We Don't Exercise

12:54 People Aren't Meeting the Guidelines for Good Health

15:25 What Activities Are Good for Our Brain?

17:35 Orienteering Can Train the Brain

18:47 How the Different Types of Exercise Increase Neuroplasticity

22:39 Impact of Exercising in Greener Spaces Than Urban

24:06 Better Cognition Exercising Before a Task

25:41 The Optimal Time of the Day to Exercise

27:46 The Hadzas: Researching Hunter-Gatherer Tribes & the Findings

28:56 What Is the Optimal Exercising Time?

31:59 Cardiovascular Illnesses in Hadza Tribe

35:07 What's the Issue with Sitting?

40:29 The Power of Daily Small Amounts of Exercise

42:17 How to Improve Memory

46:08 Top Factors That Fuel Cognitive Problems

48:38 Link Between Human Connection & Brain Impact

50:54 Pollution Impact on the Brain

53:13 Racquet Sports for Brain Health

54:41 How Much Activity Do I Have to Do?

55:52 Endocannabinoid Receptors and Exercise Rewards

57:24 Mental Health Issues Linked to Lack of Exercise

01:01:45 Brain Foods

01:03:07 Reaching Optimal Living

01:07:50 What Causes Alzheimer's?

01:12:39 Last Guest Question

Follow David:

Twitter - https://bit.ly/483oZIF

Watch the episodes on Youtube - https://g2ul0.app.link/3kxINCANKsb

My new book! 'The 33 Laws Of Business & Life' is out now - https://smarturl.it/DOACbook

Follow me:

https://beacons.ai/diaryofaceo

Sponsors:

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The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

The Brain Professor: "Popular Treat Now Considered Deadlier Than Smoking!", "Alcohol Is Shrinking Your Brain" - David Raichlen

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The importance of physical activity for brain health

The impact of sitting and the need for movement

The role of education and lifelong learning

The impact of social connections on brain health

Air pollution diminishes cognitive benefits of physical activity

The impact of exercise and brain health

Reducing Sedentary Behavior for Brain Health

Optimal Time of Day to Exercise and Starting from Zero

The Link Between Physical Activity and Brain Health

Grief, Depression, and Memory Decline

Get the Snipd
podcast app

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

Save any
moment

Share
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The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

The Brain Professor: "Popular Treat Now Considered Deadlier Than Smoking!", "Alcohol Is Shrinking Your Brain" - David Raichlen

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The importance of physical activity for brain health

The impact of sitting and the need for movement

The role of education and lifelong learning

The impact of social connections on brain health

Air pollution diminishes cognitive benefits of physical activity

The impact of exercise and brain health

Reducing Sedentary Behavior for Brain Health

Optimal Time of Day to Exercise and Starting from Zero

The Link Between Physical Activity and Brain Health

Grief, Depression, and Memory Decline

Get the Snipdpodcast app

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