Caloric restriction, because of its interaction with the insulin signaling system, appears to be good for the brain. Why might that be? Neuroscientist Mark Mattson at Johns Hopkins University says, “If you’re hungry and haven’t found food, you’d better find food. You don’t want your brain to shut down if you’re hungry.” Some of the neural benefits that are found with fasting also occur with vigorous exercise. The neurochemical changes are similar: Both stimulate the production of brain-derived neurotrophic growth factors (BDNFs). Fasting stimulates the production of ketones, an energy source
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