The brain is the body's control center, and its function affects everything from creativity and memory to decision-making and concentration. To maintain and improve our mental health, it is crucial to ensure optimal blood flow to the brain. In this blog, we will explore the importance of good blood supply to the brain and how Ginkgo Biloba, a plant that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, can contribute to promoting it.

Why is good blood flow to the brain important?

The brain accounts for only about 2% of the body's weight, but it requires approximately 20% of the body's total oxygen and nutrient supply. Efficient blood flow is essential to ensure that the brain receives enough oxygen and nutrients to function optimally. Here are some reasons why good blood flow to the brain is so important:

Oxygen and Nutrients:

The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to perform its complex functions. Good blood supply ensures that these substances reach the brain cells efficiently.

Removal of Toxins:

Efficient blood flow also helps to remove waste products and toxins from the brain. This is crucial for maintaining a healthy brain environment.

Cognitive Function:

Optimal blood supply promotes cognitive function, including memory, learning, and concentration. Reduced blood flow can lead to cognitive problems and memory loss.

Ginkgo Biloba and Brain Health

Ginkgo Biloba is an ancient herb originating from China and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Its leaf extract contains compounds that can have positive effects on brain health, particularly by improving blood flow. Here are some ways in which Ginkgo Biloba can benefit the brain:

1. Vasodilation: Ginkgo Biloba is said to have vasodilatory properties, meaning it can dilate blood vessels and thereby increase blood flow to the brain.
2. Antioxidant Properties: Ginkgo Biloba is rich in antioxidants, which help to combat harmful free radicals in the body. This can help protect brain cells from oxidative stress.
3. Improved Blood Flow Selectivity: Ginkgo Biloba has been suggested to improve blood flow selectivity, meaning it can make the blood more fluid and thus improve circulation.
4. Reduce Inflammation: The herb's anti-inflammatory properties can help to reduce inflammation in blood vessels and promote healthy blood circulation.

Dr. Daniel Amen on Hippocampus, Blood Flow, and Ginkgo Biloba

Every day, your brain creates approximately 700 new cells in the hippocampus, a part of the brain crucial for memory and learning. Dr. Daniel Amen, a leading expert in neuroscience and brain health, shared exciting insights in an interview about the importance of this daily cell growth in the hippocampus. He points out that your lifestyle and behavior either support or harm these newly born cells.

Hippocampus:

The hippocampus, meaning seahorse in Greek, is the part of the brain where approximately 700 new cells, resembling small seahorses, are created every day. Your behavior directly influences the growth or decline of these cells.

Baby seahorses:

Dr. Amen likens the newly formed cells to baby seahorses and points out that your behavior either helps them grow or "kills" them. This emphasizes how our daily lives affect brain health at a very fundamental level.

Baby stem cells:

In the hippocampus, approximately 700 new stem cells are also generated every day. Dr. Amen compares the lifespan and ability of these cells to be preserved with blood flow. It turns out that new research indicates that new brain cells do not age; it is the blood vessels that do. This means that anything that harms the blood vessels also harms the brain.

New research:

Recent research suggests that new brain cells do not age. Instead, it is the aging of blood vessels that affects the brain. Dr. Amen emphasizes the importance of understanding how to increase blood flow to promote brain health. Simple things like exercise, ginkgo, beets, rosemary, and pepper can actually help improve brain function.

Understanding the connection between the hippocampus, blood flow, and brain health provides us with tools to improve our mental function. Dr. Daniel Amen stresses that we are not stuck with the brain we have; we have the opportunity to make it better. By incorporating simple habits into our lifestyle, such as increasing blood flow through exercise and including nutrients like ginkgo, we can promote our brain health and achieve a better quality of life.

Dr. Daniel Amen is one of the most popular psychiatrists in America, and Discover Magazine listed his brain imaging research as the top neuroscience news in 2015. He is a double board-certified psychiatrist and the author of ten bestselling books.