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Brisk walking has been found to be more beneficial for brain health than intense exercise. Brisk walking releases neurotrophic factors that help generate new brain cells, while avoiding the release of stress hormones. This process of neurogenesis can lead to sharper cognitive function and a wider circle of connections in the brain. An example of implementing this is by taking brisk walks with close friends, engaging in meaningful conversations, and fostering deep connections.
The brain is highly sensitive to sugar intake, with excessive consumption leading to negative effects on brain function. Saturation of glucose in the bloodstream can lead to the shutting down of brain receptors, resulting in cognitive dysfunction and memory loss. Prolonged exposure to high levels of sugar can also promote inflammation and the development of plaques and tangles, which are associated with conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's. By understanding the consequences of sugar on brain health, individuals can make more informed choices about their nutrition and overall well-being.
Developing cognitive resilience involves engaging in new experiences and learning activities that challenge the brain. The brain has the capacity to create new neural pathways and optimize cognitive function by continuously learning and embracing new hobbies. By being open to vulnerability and exploring different interests, individuals can expand their perspective and connect new dots in their lives. This cognitive resilience is crucial for preventing cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, as it builds an extensive network of roads in the brain that can adapt and navigate around potential obstacles.
Advancements in brain imaging and neuroscientific research have opened new paths for understanding brain health and addressing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Instead of strictly focusing on getting rid of plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimer's, researchers now aim to understand why certain individuals with plaques and tangles do not develop symptoms. The goal is to identify the factors that enhance cognitive resilience and prevent cognitive decline. This knowledge will contribute to groundbreaking advancements, potentially leading to the development of effective therapies and the optimization of cognitive function for individuals of all ages.
One of the main focuses of Dr. Sanjay Gupta's Aikigai is to solve the problem of childhood hunger. He believes it is a travesty that children are starving to death when it is a solvable problem. By anticipating climate patterns, pre-positioning food, and implementing simple solutions, we can eradicate childhood hunger worldwide.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta's Aikigai is also centered around fully appreciating the gift of life and experiencing it to the fullest. He believes in not just running in place but actively engaging in meaningful work, having fun, and fully enjoying the wonders of the world. He emphasizes the importance of not taking life for granted and making the most of the opportunities we have.
Another important aspect discussed in the podcast is the significance of sleep in memory consolidation and brain function. Quality sleep, especially during REM sleep, is essential for storing memories and enhancing cognitive abilities. It is emphasized that getting enough restful sleep is crucial for preserving and recalling meaningful memories, promoting overall brain health, and optimizing cognitive function.
American neurosurgeon, medical reporter and writer Sanjay Gupta joins Tony for an engaging conversation about brain health and its effects on your life. From movement to nourishment to rest, Tony and Sanjay share life hacks that have been proven to improve both the quality and longevity of your life from Sanjay Gupta’s newest book, Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age. Learn and laugh with these experts as they take you on a journey through cutting-edge information and inspiration about brain health and exciting developments for the future of this field.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxZkwX4i-14
Show Notes:
1:00 TR introduces today’s guest, a renaissance man
1:30 Sanjay’s new book, Keep Sharp
2:00 TR: How did that journey begin and what influenced you?
2:58 The first female engineer hired by Ford
3:20 Sanjay’s mom: “if you don’t hire me, you never will.”
4:30 Sacrifice
5:25 Medical marijuana and being able to shift
7:00 Sanjay during Covid-19
7:30 Sanjay did not see the merits of medical marijuana originally
8:00 94% of the studies were designed to look for harm, only 6% looking for a benefit
8:35 I different picture started to emerge
9:05 TR: You did such a good job bringing the human emotion to it
10:08 Total transparency
10:20 TR: What made you decide to write Keep Sharp?
11:20 Sanjay wrote his book before Covid-19
12:05 The mental impact of Covid-19
13:09 You can build new brain cells at any age
15:20 Defining a healthy brain
16:40 We use 10% of our brain 90% of the time
17:20 Neurogenesis
18:40 Practice makes perfect, but it is change that builds resilience
18:50 TR: Are there skills that you’ve never tried, learning a language, singing?
20:15 TR: Is there dopamine that comes from creating these new pathways?
23:17 TR: Pattern recognition, pattern utilization, pattern creation is what makes people masterful
23:35 Fundamentally, people know the right things to do
25:00 A healthy brain is tied to a wider circle
27:25 Sanjay uses his daughters as a sounding board
29:00 Brisk walking is far better than intensely exercising for the brain
29:50 Get vulnerable
34:12 The brain is exquisitely sensitive to sugar
34:40 You may be overly indulging your body and starving your brain.
35:14 TR: Tell people what the long-term impact of starving the brain is
35:40 Changes in your brain that sets you up for dementia potentially
36:28 TR: Where is the link between side effects of covid and obesity?
39:50 TR: We seem to be outsourcing our health to the pharmaceutical industry, but they can only do so much.
42:00 Medical AI and being the CEO of your own health
42:37 The two words no one wants to talk about
43:45 We can now visualize the inside of the brain
44:33 The process began decades earlier
46:10 Injecting AI behaviors for health
48:10 Technology will continue to add to our lives
49:00 There might be a better use of our time and energy
50:00 The Vatican and stem cells
55:00 We have the capacity to heal ourselves
57:01 Optimizing our life so it is frictionless
57:30 Sanjay: Three teenage girls in the house
57:57 TR: What did you learn from the super-brainers project?
59:04 Confirmation that the brain can get sharper over time
59:20 TR: The more meaningful connections you make, the more you remember.
1:01:00 Blood pressure drugs to prevent destructive memories forming
1:01:55 Dementia Village
1:08:02 1.65-billion-person experiment
1:09:20 Sleep is essential to memory
1:11:00 “As your friend, you should get more sleep Tony”
1:12:05 Tony comes to mind when Sanjay writes
1:13:00 Habit stacking
1:15:00 Polishing memories
1:16:00 TR: What is your Ikigai?
1:18:05 The difference in data interpretation
1:21:20 Childhood hunger
1:23:05 Experiencing this world fully
1:24:20 TR: You’re a gift to us
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