Nutrition's role in neurogenesis

Dean Ornish, M.D., a longtime advocate for healthier eating and increased exercise, offered his views on ways in which you can stimulate neurogenesis in an article that appeared in the September 7, 2007, issue of Newsweek. On the nutritional side, he observed that foods high in sugar and saturated fats slow or even halt the rate of neurogenesis, while foods that contain high levels of antioxidant-rich epicatechins accelerate neurogenesis. Of foods in the latter category, Ornish recommended blueberries, tea, and moderate amounts of chocolate. He pointed out that small amounts of alcohol seem to increase neurogenesis, while larger amounts slow it down. He also noted that opiates, nicotine, and cocaine impede the process of neurogenesis.