Our bodies remove dead blood cells and other waste products through a network of vessels called the lymphatic system. The brain, however, uses a different method. Cerebrospinal fluid cleanses brain tissue.
The waste management system (called the glymphatic system) is a series of tubes that carry fresh fluid into the brain, mix the fresh fluid with the waste-filled fluid that surrounds the brain cells, and then flush the mix out of the brain and into the blood. This occurs primarily during deep sleep.
The waste products of brain cells include proteins called beta-amyloid and tau that are thought to be involved in Alzheimer's disease when they build up in excessive amounts.
Principle of glymphatic transport in rodent brain. Peri-arterial inflow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) enters the brain tissue facilitated by astrocytic endfeet AQP4 water channels; mixes with interstitial fluid and removes the waste products into peri-venous space.
We now know why healthy lifestyle choices like a nourishing diet, adequate sleep, mental and physical exercise, and a low dose of alcohol intake may be a simple yet effective way to tweak the glymphatic waste disposal system and thereby strengthen the structure and function of the brain.
Our bodies remove dead blood cells and other waste products through a network of vessels called the lymphatic system. The brain, however, uses a different method. Cerebrospinal fluid cleanses brain tissue.
Restorative sleep is critical for glymphatic drainage. One recent study found that the sleep-brain connection is so strong that people who suffer from sleep apnea have a 70 percent higher risk of contracting Alzheimer's. My advice: Go to sleep at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning.
A new study conducted at the University of Rochester Medical Center has found that brain activity during deep, non-REM sleep is ideal for the brain's glymphatic system to “clean” itself of toxins.
The scientists also reported that the glymphatic system can help remove a toxic protein called beta-amyloid from brain tissue. Beta-amyloid is renowned for accumulating in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Other research has shown that brain levels of beta-amyloid decrease during sleep.
Why sleep has restorative—or damaging—effects on cognition and brain health has been an enduring mystery in biology. Researchers think cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may flush toxic waste out, “cleaning” the brain and studies have shown that garbage clearance is hugely improved during sleep.
Get Your Omega 3's ^
In case you didn't already have enough reasons to love salmon patties, smoked salmon dip and supplements like cod liver oil, researchers have found that fish rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have a positive impact on glymphatic function.
Glymphatic transport is most efficient in the right lateral sleeping position, with more CSF clearance occurring compared to supine and prone [6].
The researchers measured close to 7,000 synapses in all. Their images show that synapses grew stronger and larger as these nocturnal mice scurried about at night. Then, after 6 to 8 hours of sleep during the day, those synapses shrank by about 18 percent as the brain reset for another night of activity.
Sleep is needed to regenerate parts of the brain so that it can continue to function normally [8,9]. Lack of sleep or not enough sleep can cause some neurons in one's brain to malfunction. If the neurons cannot function properly it affects the person's behavior and has an impact on their performance.
Between the times of 10:00 pm and 2:00 am the body goes through a dramatic process of physical repair. Between roughly 2:00 am and 6:00 am the body will go through a process of psychological repair. A disrupted sleep pattern will cause the Cortisol to elevate and negatively affect the regenerative process.
And perhaps most importantly, herbs such as Turmeric, Gotu Kola and Bacopa Monnieri have been found to stimulate the regrowth of brain neurons to restore lost function as well. In fact, these three herbs support all of these critical actions for restoring brain health.
cerebrospinal fluid. Throughout most of the body, a complex system of lymphatic vessels is responsible for cleansing the tissues of potentially harmful metabolic waste products, accumulations of soluble proteins and excess interstitial fluid.
Symptoms can include memory loss, mood changes, confusion, and cognitive decline. Some researchers believe that disruptions to the glymphatic system caused by brain trauma may increase the risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Anti-amyloid antibodies work by alerting the immune system to the presence of unwanted material — amyloid plaques — and directing the cleanup crew — inflammatory cells known as microglia — to clear out such debris.
Healthy fats, such as avocados, olive oil, coconut oil and grass-fed butter. You also want to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated, which is important for supporting your lymphatic system and keeping your energy up, in addition to green tea, herbal tea and and coffee.