Fasting specifically acts to stimulate autophagy, which is the process through which the brain cleans itself. Your brain also needs cleansing because it hoards trash just like any other organ. In the brain, this trash is largely an accumulation of damaged cells and other assorted toxins.
More specifically, autophagy is when the cells purge waste material and repair themselves. It's an amazing rejuvenation process, to be sure, and absolutely essential for overall brain health and longevity.
The brain needs to be stressed and stimulated like any other organ in order to stay healthy, and the best way to positively impact the brain is through fasting and exercise.
A lack of this cleansing process may lead to any number of neurological diseases including Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Insufficient cleansing of the brain also leads to neurodegeneration, a fancy term to describe a state where the brain doesn't function or develop properly.
Fasting has proven to increase autophagy and restore vitality to the brain. (Interestingly, fasting has long been used overseas as a successful treatment for many psychological disorders such as neurosis. In Russia, they call fasting “the hunger cure.”) Together, fasting and exercise increase autophagy even more.
In fact, the combination of fasting and intense exercise is the most therapeutic remedy for the body and the mind, as well as perhaps the most potent preventive measure you can take against the onset of any neurological diseases.
The science also shows that fasting and exercise boost neurogenesis, which is the growth of new brain cells. Fasting and exercise also strengthen the brain's synaptic infrastructure, or the lines of communication between neurons. This means better, healthier brain function all around.