What foods encourage neurogenesis?
This may be a question without an answer at this point – adult neurogenesis has only (very) recently gained recognition as even occuring at all. Not to diminish the terrific accomplishments of neuroscientists, but they don’t fully understand the workings of processes that have been accepted for decades – it’s unlikely that there is any valid data linking specific nutritional intake to neurogenesis, since most study is currently focused around simply analyzing the process itself.
Exercise has been shown in animals to increase post-adolescent neurogenesis*. Omega-3 fatty acids aren’t a bad idea (building blocks for growing neurons) – but a balanced and healthy diet is the key foundation; omega-3’s should be part of that balanced diet already. Between exercise and using your brain (travel, see/do new things, work on puzzles, stop vegging out in front of the TV, &c) is probably your best bet. Stroke recovery studies (usually involving lesions in animal models) suggest that even if new neurons aren’t being made, the ones that are still there are capable of growing new connections to make up for dead or damaged neurons. Many many neurons die off during embryonic development and shortly after birth. Making more new neurons from stem cell precursors is one thing. Having existing neurons “do more” is another thing. In either case, extremes are – as typical in almost everything else – usually bad. The story for motor neurons and spinal cord neurons is a little different
Yeah, it’s really not the new neurons that do a lot for you. It’s the new connections between existing neurons that actually make stuff work, along with neural plasticity to smooth out any major problems you encounter (or any major changes you make). I wouldn’t worry too much about specific foods. Your brain is one of your body’s highest priorities.
