Brain power: you think what you eat
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Our work at the Brain Bio Centre is based on the principle that there is no major distinction between
mind and
body. Each of our
mental states – including thinking, feeling and exerting mental energy – relies on an optimal supply of
nutrients to a complex network of 100 billion interconnecting brain cells called
‘neurons’.
“if you feel your memory could be improved, you’re not alone...”
As we get older and the number of neurons we have decreases, our memory tends to become blunted. In mild cases, memory loss is often associated with
stress and
low moods. In extreme cases, the personal safety and independence of the sufferer can be put in jeopardy.
In a survey carried out by the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, one third of participants claimed they suffered from poor memory or difficulty learning new things. So, if you feel your
memory could be improved, you’re not alone! However, declining memory and brain function doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of life. You can make significant improvements to your
mental powers and emotional state simply by including more of the right ‘brain’ nutrients and avoiding the foods which can deplete mental energy.
Balance Your Blood Sugar
The first step towards improved ‘brain power’ is to control your
blood sugar. You can do this by avoiding refined, processed and high ‘GL’ (glycaemic load) foods, cutting out sugar in all its forms and slowing down the release of the sugar in the carbohydrate foods you eat by combining them with protein. Choose wholefoods (lentils, beans) and wholegrains (such as brown pasta or rice) and eat them with fish or tofu.
A-Z of Intelligent Nutrients
Ensure your body is supplied with plenty of the vitamins, minerals and
antioxidants that ‘fine-tune’ your mind by getting a good intake of fresh vegetables, especially dark green, leafy vegetables such as watercress, sprouts and spinach. Including a variety of different coloured fruits and vegetables (reds, greens, yellows etc), will also ensure that you have a broad range of nutrients. The importance of
B vitamins should also not be underestimated – especially for the role they play in optimising brain function. You can get these from wholegrains, nuts and seeds but it is worth supplementing with a good
Vitamin B complex.
Essential Fats
Omega 3, found in coldwater (oily) fish, flax, hemp and pumpkin seeds or their coldpressed oils, and Omega 6, keep your brain ‘well oiled’. Omega 3 from seed sources are converted into the body into EPA and DHA.
Oily fish is especially high in direct sources of EPA and
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