California: Ayush Patel of Arnold O. Beckman High School and His Insights

Hey, I'm Ayush. I'm 15 years old, and I'm from Irvine, California. Some of my career passions and interests include medicine, engineering, STEM, and public health. My goal is to combine these interests to contribute to a field that enhances the quality of life and health outcomes for communities. In my free time, I enjoy watching sports, getting caught up on the news, and listening to music.

Reviewed Article: Nutritional Factors Affecting Adult Neurogenesis and Cognitive Function by Shibu M Poulose, Marshall G Miller, Tammy Scott, Barbara Shukitt-Hale

Main Argument & Findings:

This article centers around the importance of and preservation of neurogenesis, the process of generating new neurons, in the hippocampus of adult brains, and how this process is essential to maintaining cognitive health and preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and other neurodegenerative diseases. The findings of the research conducted in this article revealed that neurogenesis is negatively affected by factors such as aging, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, brain injuries, high-fat/high-sugar diets, and substance abuse, which impair memory and increase risk for neurodegenerative diseases. On the other hand, the studies in this article also found that specific nutrients, such as folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and polyphenols like curcumin and resveratrol, are linked to enhanced neurogenesis. Scientists have found, through trials with lab rats and mice, that diets rich in these compounds, caloric restriction, exercise, and learning can bolster neurogenesis and protect against cognitive decline. These changes in diet and lifestyle are associated with enhanced cell proliferation, survival, and cognitive function.

This article deepened my understanding of how diet directly influences brain health beyond general nutrition. The article and related research show that specific nutrients, such as those found in blueberries or fish, can actively promote the growth of new brain cells, a process that is essential for proper, lifelong cognitive function. The findings of how inflammation and oxidative stress block neurogenesis are clear evidence of the fact that unhealthy lifestyles harm long-term cognitive function. The main takeaway from this article is that diet and good health habits are not only important for physical health, but for our brain health as well.

Importance for Youth:

This knowledge is crucial for the youth of the world because the habits that they form early on in life will shape their long-term health, and also, according to these findings, will shape the function of their brains throughout their lifetime. The research in this article shows that poor dietary choices, especially those that involve an excessive intake of high-fat and high-sugar foods, can reduce neurogenesis even in younger brains, potentially setting the stage for cognitive issues later. For example, a study cited found that a high-fat diet decreased hippocampal neurogenesis in rats after just four weeks. Youth are often exposed to processed foods and sugary drinks that could be harming their brain's ability to grow new cells and maintain cognitive flexibility. In contrast, maintaining a diet rich in nutrients like omega-3s (found in fish) and polyphenols (found in fruits and vegetables) can support brain development and memory, something that is vital for learning and academic success. Additionally, the youth should also strive for an active lifestyle with adequate learning and exercise to boost their neurogenesis, further building up a healthy brain for the future. Understanding research and its findings on this topic can encourage young people to make healthier choices and protect their cognitive health, preventing the onset of cognitive disorders as they age. Educating the younger generation is also important to helping build a healthier and less vulnerable future human population to fight against cognitive and neurodegenerative diseases. It is important for the youth to acknowledge this information now and act quickly to help reverse the projected rise in cognitive disorders to 20% of the US population older than 65 by 2050.

What I Learned: 

I learned that adult neurogenesis is an essential process that is influenced by diet and lifestyle, with certain nutrients like folate, omega-3s, and polyphenols directly supporting new neuron growth in the hippocampus, a process that is crucial for memory and learning. For example, a study showed that aged rats fed a 2% blueberry diet for eight weeks had increased hippocampal cell proliferation and better memory. I also learned that chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which can be worsened by poor diet and aging, harm the process of neurogenesis, while habits like caloric restriction or exercise can counteract these effects. The article underscored that combining nutrients might amplify benefits, suggesting a holistic approach to brain health.

This research connects to the real world through the food choices that we make every day in our homes and school cafeterias. For example, choosing a lunch with salmon (rich in omega-3s) or a smoothie with blueberries and spinach (high in polyphenols and folate) over fast food could support brain health for students studying for exams. Good brain health is built with foods that are better for me, and improving my brain health will improve every aspect of my life, as it allows me to feel more focused, energized, and sharp. Every day, we see countless temptations to give in to fast food and other more satisfying, but unhealthy options, and by becoming aware of the harmful effects of these habits, we can build a better lifestyle for ourselves and support the function of our brains for many years to come. I, for one, will be using this knowledge that I have learned from this article to incorporate brain-boosting foods in my diet, such as adding turmeric to meals or snacking on berries, to enhance my cognitive performance now while also protecting my brain for the future.

Citations:  Poulose, S. M., Miller, M. G., Scott, T., & Shukitt-Hale, B. (2017). Nutritional factors affecting adult neurogenesis and cognitive function. Advances in Nutrition, 8(6), 804–811. https://doi.org/10.3945/an.117.016261