Want a Better Memory? Consider What You Eat
We know eating can have a significant effect on our physical being and health, but it can also have significant impacts on our brain and our memory.
A recent study from Iowa State University found that a particular satiety hormone, when activated at higher levels, can decrease the chances of Alzheimer’s disease. The hormone, Cholecystokinin (CCK) can be found in the small intestine and in the brain’s hippocampus. In the small intestine, CCK allows for the absorption of fat and protein and in the brain, it contributes to memory formation.
The research found that individuals who had higher CCK levels had milder forms of cognitive impairment, which is a pre-marker for Alzheimer’s. The researchers used data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative and looked at 287 subjects. They found that those with higher CCK had a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s by 65 percent.
“It will hopefully help to shed further light on how satiety hormones in the blood and brain affect brain function,” says assistant professor Auriel Willette, a researcher on this study.
Lead author and one of the graduate students in the study, Alexandra Plagman said they decided to focus on CCK due to the fact it is highly expressed in memory function. Their main goal was to see the significance between the CCK, levels of memory and gray matter in the hippocampus.
The research also looked at p-tau and tau proteins, both thought to be toxic to the brain. When tau levels increased, higher CCK was no longer related to memory decline.
Plagman is already looking at additional ways diet can affect an individual’s CCK through other aspects such as fasting glucose and ketone bodies. Plagman’s goal is to find some sort of nutritional marker or certain diet that could possibly prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s.
“The regulation of when and how much we eat can have some association with how good our memory is,” says Willette, “Bottom line: what we eat and what our body does with it affects our brain.”
Savannah Patton
Savannah Patton is the ICF Communications Assistant and a freelance writer for Kentucky Sports Radio. She graduated in May 2016 from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in Integrated Strategic Communications with a focus in Public Relations.
The views and opinions expressed in guest posts featured on this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of the International Coach Federation (ICF). The publication of a guest post on the ICF Blog does not equate to an ICF endorsement or guarantee of the products or services provided by the author.
Additionally, for the purpose of full disclosure and as a disclaimer of liability, this content was possibly generated using the assistance of an AI program. Its contents, either in whole or in part, have been reviewed and revised by a human. Nevertheless, the reader/user is responsible for verifying the information presented and should not rely upon this article or post as providing any specific professional advice or counsel. Its contents are provided “as is,” and ICF makes no representations or warranties as to its accuracy or completeness and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law specifically disclaims any and all liability for any damages or injuries resulting from use of or reliance thereupon.
