The Brain Part 2

The BRAIN - Part 2

Four of the best ways to improve brain performance, and prevent burnout.

1. STOP DOING THE STUFF THAT MAKES YOU WEAK

You're probably thinking, "thanks Captain Obvious” but we don't always know what exactly is hindering our brain performance. Figuring out your personal kryptonite, and removing it from your life, will free up your brain's energy reserves for more important things. I was on the bulletproof diet for about 3 weeks before my inflammation reduced enough for me to recognize what was slowing me down. Now that I know what my kryptonite is(link here), I can avoid it or help my body recover faster if I consume it.

2. ADD MORE ENERGY

Your mitochondria need oxygen to make energy, and they also need either glucose or fat (occasionally amino acid). This does not mean that the more carbs you eat, the more energy your mitochondria will produce. Actually, the opposite is true. Your mitochondria perform best when they can alternate between fuel sources like a hybrid car. Through planned diet changes and supplements, you can provide your mitochondria with the energy sources they need. Brain Octane (Caprylic acid or C8) turns into ketones within minutes, providing abundant fuel for your mitochondria. Ketones boost your metabolism, increase fat burning, curb hunger, and sharpen your focus. They make your mitochondria more efficient at producing energy.

3. INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF ENERGY PRODUCTION AND DELIVERY

Your mitochondria may not be producing energy as efficiently as they should be due to nutrition and antioxidant deficiencies, or as a result of damage from various toxins, stress, or even lack of sleep. There are specific things you can do to grow more mitochondria and make the ones you already have function better. Removing the toxins and brain kryptonite from your environment, as mentioned in the first step, with definitely help, along with changes to your lifestyle and diet.

4. STRENGTHEN YOUR MITOCHONDRIA

Mitochondria are like your cells’ powerhouse, and no one likes a weak powerhouse. One of the most effective ways to make more energy is by stressing mitochondria properly. In the same way that lifting weights stresses and then strengthens a muscle, certain techniques put the right amount of strain on your mitochondria to kill off the ones that are past the point of no return and encourage the ones left to grow stronger. Exercise helps stimulate the removal of damaged mitochondria (a process called mitophagy) so they don’t accumulate in your cells. I believe that regular, high intensity exercise and maintaining a healthy, “bulletproof” lifestyle have definitely improved my energy levels, brain function, and metabolism; evidence of strengthened mitochondrial health.

*Environmental Toxin.

A big player that contributes to environmental toxins is glyphosate. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup, prevents the uptake of manganese and zinc, important minerals for protecting your mitochondria from oxidative damage.The Roundup formula also makes your mitochondrial membranes more permeable, allowing more glyphosate to enter. And that, in turn, interferes with energy production.

**Here are some of the best sources of saturated fat and cholesterol:

• Grass-fed butter. Kerrygold is a great brand. Notice the sunny yellow color and creamy consistency – you can literally see the extra nutrients. White or waxy butter is a sign that the cow producing it ate a poor diet.

• Pastured eggs. Again, look for a deep yellow or orange yolk. The shell should be difficult to crack, too – both are signs that the chicken producing the egg grew up on a pasture, eating a diet of nutrient-dense goodies. Fun fact: chickens are surprisingly good hunters. They’ll chase down and eat field mice. “Vegetarian-fed” eggs are actually a bad sign, not a good one. Instead, look for “pasture-raised” on the label. Our family buys from Vital Farms, which sells excellent pasture-raised eggs.

• Dark chocolate. Watch out for added sugar. The darker the better. Chocolate is also full of polyphenols, food for your good bacteria.

• Grass-fed beef and lamb. Looking to save a few bucks? Go for the fattiest ground beef available. It tends to be the cheapest because most people still think fat is bad, not good. Take full advantage.