hungry, hungry hippo

Our brain needs 2 things to thrive: Activation and Fuel.

Part Two: Fuel

Your brain is a hungry, hungry hippo.

Even though it accounts for only 2% of your body’s mass, it devours approx 60% of the Glucose (sugars, starches and ketones) and 20% of the Oxygen (respiration) you take intake in.

And that’s when you’re at rest!

During periods of high activity, intense focus, or stressful situations those % can be even higher.

Because the brain lacks fuel stores, it needs a constant supply of the goods to keep those synapsis firing.  

When supply fails to meet demand, performance is compromised.

We all know that physical activity can drain the tank, but studies have shown that mental concentration actually drains glucose from a key part of the brain associated with memory and learning.

A lack of Glucose affects the ability to think and remember.

A lack of sufficient oxygen supply to the brain can lead to difficulty concentrating, poor motor skills, memory loss, mood swings and restlessness.

The way we breath can effect the supply of O2 to the brain.

Its estimated that chronic hyper-ventilators and mouth breathers (you know who you are) can have up to 20% less oxygen in the brain, all day, every day (this is mostly due to low CO2 levels, which oddly, makes it harder for O2 to get into the cells where its needed).

“Insufficient oxygen means insufficient biological energy that can result in anything from mild fatigue to life threatening disease. The link between insufficient oxygen and disease has now been firmly established.”  Dr. W. Spencer Way, Journal of the American Association of Physicians

So, make your brain happy; take time to breath and eat some ice-cream.

Andy

Warm Up:

Coach’s Choice

Skill/Str:

A1. 2 Rope Climbs or 1 Legless Rope Climb, 4 sets

A2. 15sec Support Hold w/Rings Turned Out, 4 sets

A3. 30 Sec Hollow Hold, 4 sets

Workout:

In Teams of 2, trading off full rounds –

12 Dball Slam (20/12lbs)

10 Goblet Squat (55/35lbs)

8 Push Up

Rounds in 20 min