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 help promote this.

Why is good blood flow to the brain important?

The brain makes up only about 2% of the body's weight, but it requires about 20% of the body's total oxygen and nutrient supply. Efficient blood flow is essential to ensure 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:

An efficient blood flow also helps to remove waste products and toxins from the brain. This is critical to maintaining a healthy brain environment.

Cognitive Function:

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

Ginkgo Biloba and Brain Health

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

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

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

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

Hippocampus:

The hippocampus, which means seahorse in Greek, is the part of the brain where about 700 new cells, similar to little seahorses, are created every day. Your behavior has a direct influence on 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 highlights how our everyday lives affect brain health at a very fundamental level.

Baby stem cells:

In the hippocampus, around 700 new stem cells are also generated every day. Dr. Amen compares these cells' lifespan and ability to be preserved to blood flow. It turns out that new research indicates that new brain cells don't age, the blood vessels do. This means that anything that damages the blood vessels also damages the brain.

New research:

The latest 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, beetroot, rosemary and pepper can actually help improve brain function.

Understanding the connection between the hippocampus, blood flow and brain health gives us tools to improve our mental functioning. Dr. Daniel Amen emphasizes that we are not fixed 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 such as 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 of 2015. He is a board certified psychiatrist and the author of ten best-selling books.