Harness Your Brainpower to Lose Weight

Harness Your Brainpower to Lose Weight
By Emily Listfield, PARADE

Dr. Daniel G. Amen is a leading expert on the mind/body connection and author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Body. We asked him how to harness your brainpower to help you get fit.

How does the brain affect weight and fitness levels?
If your brain is healthy, your heart is likely to be healthier, your energy and memory are likely to be better, and you feel less hungry. You also have better impulse control and less stress. If your brain is troubled, you may not sleep well, you're hungrier and more irritable, and you experience a higher incidence of heart, gastrointestinal, and skin issues.

How can the brain help with weight loss?
Sleep, exercise, a good vitamin-D level, positive thinking, and a brain-healthy diet with omega-three fatty acids all promote weight loss with lasting results.


Why is stress harmful, and how can exercise help?
Chronic stress leads to increased appetite and abdominal fat and decreased sleep and prefrontal cortex function, making you more prone to bad decisions. Exercise boosts blood flow to the brain and increases a chemical called BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which enhances cognitive ability. It's a fountain of youth for your brain.