Nutrients For Brain Health & Performance | Huberman Lab Podcast #42

About this video

Huberman explains how food choices and brain health are shaped by three signals: subconscious gut neurons reporting nutrient content, how readily a food can be converted into energy the brain can use, and belief about what a food contains and will do. He argues that these pathways mean people can learn to crave foods that are better for them. Huberman also recaps time-restricted feeding, recommending that a feeding window begin at least one hour after waking, end at least two and ideally three hours before sleep, and stay at roughly the same phase each day. Later, Huberman discusses glutamine, describing research linking it to offsetting some cognitive effects of reduced brain oxygenation in contexts such as sleep apnea and high altitude, largely, he explains, by reducing inflammation.

Key takeaways

• Huberman explains that gut neurons, metabolic accessibility, and belief together drive food preference.
• Huberman recommends starting a feeding window at least one hour after waking and ending it at least two to three hours before sleep.
• Huberman says keeping a feeding window at a consistent daily phase matters because of clock genes.
• Huberman describes glutamine as potentially offsetting some cognitive deficits linked to sleep apnea and hypoxia.
• Huberman emphasizes that apnea is associated with cognitive decline and should be taken seriously.

Episode details: published October 18, 2021 · 1.5M views · 1:41:19 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. The science and protocols described are Andrew Huberman’s, presented for education — not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before changing your own health practices.

← Previous: Effects of Fasting & Time Restricted Eating on Fat Loss & Health | Huberman Lab Podcast #41 · Next: Timing Light, Food, & Exercise for Better Sleep, Energy & Mood | Dr. Samer Hattar →

All Andrew Huberman videos · Andrew Huberman profile · Huberman Lab (official site)