When we suffer prolonged stress, steroids increase in the blood, including allopreganolone, a substance derived from progesterone that previous studies link with anxiety and depression. As Sara K. Bengtsson, from Umea University (Switzerland) has shown, this substance accelerates the development of Alzheimer's in mice, which also suffer a rapid deterioration of the ability to learn and memory when these substances are increased.
According to the American neurologist Ann E. Kelley, the answer is found in natural endogenous opiates, substances synthesized in our own brain that increase appetite. Usually, one of these opiates, enkephalin, pushes us to consume food, especially fats and sugars, beyond our energy needs. In addition, these opiates stimulate the nucleus accumbens, a brain center that registers the sensations of pleasure and reward in the face of stimuli such as food or drugs, favoring addictive behavior.
A study by the School of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania reveals that children who do not eat breakfast regularly obtain lower scores on tests that measure intelligence quotient (IQ) than those who start the day with a balanced breakfast. Specifically, for six-year-olds, skipping the first meal of the day reduces verbal ability by 5.58 points, performance by 2.50 points, and total score by 4.6 points. According to Jianghong-Liu, a co-author of the work, the worrying thing is that cognitive skills at that age develop rapidly. And after a whole night without eating, breakfast is essential as "fuel" for normal brain development and function.
The famous Roman quote "Mens sana in corpore sana" already has a scientific foundation. Researchers from the University of Granada have shown that staying in good physical shape is related to a better functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
Performing activities that involve a novelty protects against Alzheimer's disease, according to a study done with laboratory mice published in the journal Neuron. In addition, researchers have discovered the mechanism by which stimulating activities for the brain is so beneficial.
A marathon runner approaches the finish line and suddenly collapses from exhaustion and passes out just yards from victory. Although the scene may sound familiar, what we probably ignore is that it is not due to wasting of the muscles, which consume their sugar reserves (glycogen), but to a mechanism in the brain that stops excess activity when we overdo it. This is known as "central fatigue", a type of extreme fatigue that affects the brain and nervous system.
Scientists have been finding properties in green tea lately. Chi Pui Pang, from the University of Hong Kong, has shown that the antioxidants it contains (vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein and zeaxanthin) can be absorbed by different tissues of the eye, including the retina, which prevents glaucoma and other diseases eyepieces. It is also scientifically proven to reduce tooth and gum disease.
Danni Büchner is invited to Sam Dylan's Halloween party. But the "Goodbye Germany" emigrant has no desire for many other party guests. And find clear words.
