Friday Favorites: Fasting to Treat Depression
Caloric restriction can boost levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is considered to play a critical role in mood disorders.
Check out the follow-up video: How to Boost Brain BDNF Levels for Depression Treatment ( ).
I did a webinar series on fasting. You can find the whole bundle here in a digital download ( ) and here on NutritionFacts ( ).
You may be interested in some of my fasting videos:
• The 3,500-Calorie-per-Pound Rule Is Wrong ( )
• The Reason Weight Loss Plateaus When You Diet ( )
• The New Calories per Pound of Weight Loss Rule? ( )
• The Benefits of Calorie Restriction for Longevity ( )
• Potential Pitfalls of Calorie Restriction ( )
• Benefits of Fasting for Weight Loss Put to the Test ( )
• Is Fasting Beneficial for Weight Loss? ( )
• Is Fasting for Weight Loss Safe? ( )
• Alternate-Day Intermittent Fasting Put to the Test ( )
• Is Alternate-Day Intermittent Fasting Safe? ( )
• Does Intermittent Fasting Increase Human Life Expectancy? ( )
• The 5:2 Diet and the Fasting-Mimicking Diet Put to the Test ( )
• Time-Restricted Eating Put to the Test ( )
• The Benefits of Early Time-Restricted Eating ( )
For all of my videos on fasting, see the topic page ( ).
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-Michael Greger, MD FACLM
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Can exercise and B12 up-regulate BDNF?
Exercise most definitely. They call it Miracle Grow for the brain. I read a book titled SPARK by John Ratey, lots of great evidence of exercise and brain bdnf in there. After reading that book I got highly motivated and started doing lots of aerobic exercise. I’m due for a reread actually
Yes
You can’t leave us hanging like that on a Friday favorite. What foods can boost BDNF?
Edit: Found the video https://youtu.be/TECySdGT_jE?si=wqzf69XCvMMHhBZs
Haha totally agree!!!
@@CessnaPilot99 answer is usually the same…. Whole Food Plant Based. I believe B12 is an important factor
Add in that exercise, especially aerobic exercise, increases BDNF. That’s why brisk walking is good for mental health.
can fasting be a test for health? the hunger hump might be worse for the people with bad diet.
I love this channel!
If there is a long term effect, I would suspect that there is a microbiome change.
I love that one study. Hell yeah my mental state would be improved with ten days of bedrest, peace and quiet!