The foods you eat directly affect the performance of your brain. It has been proven that by eating the right food, you can boost your IQ, improve your mood, be more emotionally stable, sharpen your memory and keep your mind young. Most importantly synchronize your neuro system to stay sharp, rigid free and connected with a vibrant lifestyle.
If you give your brain the right nutrients, you will be able to think quicker, have a better memory, be better coordinated and balanced and have improved concentration and of course a better positive outlook that will then lead towards a happy lifestyle and decisions.
The three key brain foods to boost your brainpower and keep your brain healthy and your mental processes operating effectively are nutritious food, water and oxygen.
Thinking is a biochemical process. For brain cells to communicate effectively with each other to create neural pathways, they require chemicals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are the 'messengers' carrying messages from neuron to neuron. Neurotransmitters are made from amino acids found in good healthy protein foods such as:
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Raw peanuts
- Green beans
- Walnuts
- Canteloupe
- Celery
- Avocado
- Strawberry
- Navel orange
- Banana
- Watermelon
- Raisins, seedless
- Blueberry
- Apple, juice
Vitamins and minerals are needed to convert ordinary amino acids into these powerful neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are found in the food we eat, hence why some foods are called 'brain foods'.
The three key neurotransmitters are listed below.
1. Acetylcholine (ACh). This neurotransmitter excites other neurons and may be responsible for memory.It is involved with voluntary movement of muscles, behavioral inhibition, drinking and memory.People with Alzheimer's memory loss may have less ACh or ACh that is blocked.
Acetylcholine rich foods, to name a few, include:
Blueberries - These delicious berries are full of powerful antioxidants, which eliminate free-radical damage that causes aging, and they also possess neuroprotective properties that can delay the onset of age-related memory loss by guarding brain cells from damage caused by chemicals, plaque, or trauma. And they combat inflammation, the other factor in aging.
Nuts and Seeds - Nuts and seeds are wonder foods for your brain. Packed with protein and essential fatty acids, nuts and seeds are also chock full of the amino arginine, which stimulates the pituitary gland at the base of the brain to release growth hormone, a substance that declines quickly after age 35; this is a real anti-aging boon to your brain!
Herbal Boost - There are many Chinese herbs that support healthy brain functions, including ginkgo biloba and gotu kola. For support of healthy brain function I recommend our family formula called Enduring Youth, which contains Chinese herbs such as Chinese yam, goji berry, schisandra berry, Asian cornelian, China root, Cistanches, sweet flag, Chinese senega, dipsacus, anise, and Chinese foxglove.
2. Dopamine generally excites and is involved in movement, attention and learning but is also inhibitory. It is involved with voluntary movement, emotional arousal. Schizophrenia is associated with excess dopamine. People with Parkinson's disease may have less or damaged dopamine causing tremors, loss of balance etc. The drug "L-Dopa" may be given to increase the level of dopamine.
Dopamine rich foods include all proteins:
- Eggplant
- Beets
- Celery
- Lettuce
- Radish (red, white and black)
- Spinach
- Collard
- Turnip
- Dark or light greens, (perect in smoothies. Please have a look at our * Shake Formula for great recipes).
- Pineapple
- Plum
- Nuts and seeds
3. Serotonin (or 5-HT) usually inhibits and is involved in arousal and sleep, mood, appetite and sensitivity. However, it is also excitatory and is part of the brain's reward system producing feelings of pleasure. People who suffer from clinical depression may have too little serotonin active in synapses so they may benefit from taking a Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitor (SSRI) e.g., Prozac to extend the serotonin activity.
Concluding Thoughts
Vitamins and minerals are essential for the growth and functioning of the brain. The 'B' complex vitamins are particularly important for the brain and play a vital role in producing energy. Vitamins A, C and E are powerful antioxidants and promote and preserve memory in the elderly. Minerals are also critical to mental functioning and performance. Magnesium and manganese are needed for brain energy. Sodium, potassium and calcium are important in the thinking process and they facilitate the transmission of messages.
By TTS Cofounder Botanical Chef Omid Jaffari
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