Did you know that your brain is dependent on glucose for fuel?
Every organ in your body depends on blood flow. It’s important to promote good blood flow to our organs, including our brain. Your brain dependent on glucose for energy, but it doesn’t store the glucose. So it needs a steady stream to maintain brain power for concentration and focus. If you promote cardiovascular health, you’re promoting good blood flow to your organs, including the brain.
Although there’s no magic pill to bring us back to the height of our cognitive powers, there are some food that will improve your brain function, protect against age-associated cognitive decline and enhance focus and clarity. Studies♦ have found a relationship between what we put in our mouths and how well we perform important thinking and memory tasks. Our bodies need many different vitamins and minerals to function properly and they also offer us protection against a host of ailments. We can get most of the vitamins and minerals our bodies need daily by choosing the right food and eating a wide variety of them.
Here are some food that play an important part in keeping our gray matter happy:
- Essential fatty acids – omega 3 and omega 6 cannot be made by the body and must be obtained through diet. Try replacing a beef entrée with fish for at least one meal a week. Add walnuts to your oatmeal in the morning, or have almonds as your afternoon snack.
- Vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid help prevent brain shrinkage. Best sources of vitamin B6 and B12 are protein-rich foods like meat, chicken, fish, eggs, pork, and soybeans. Your best bet for sources of folic acid is leafy vegetables, orange juice, avocado, beets, broccoli, wheat germ and some fortified cereals.
- Vitamin C has long been thought to have the power to increase mental agility. One of the best sources of this vital vitamin is blackcurrants.
- Zinc is vital for enhancing memory and thinking skills. Just a handful of pumpkin seeds a day is all you need to get your recommended daily dose.
- Vitamin E helps to prevent cognitive decline. Sources of Vitamin E are avocado, nuts and dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, collard greens, spinach, and broccoli.
- Berries, blueberries, strawberries, and acai berries help preserve the brain’s natural “housekeeper” mechanism which rid the body of toxic proteins associated with age-related memory loss.
- Water – when a person becomes dehydrated, their brain tissue actually shrinks and this affects cognitive function. Dehydration can impair short-term memory, focus and decision making.
Your ability to concentrate and focus comes from the adequate, steady supply of energy to your brain. Eating well is good for your mental, as well as your physical health and eating fruits and vegetables every day is key to optimal health. Vegetables are like health gold mines, providing all the vitamins and antioxidants our hearts and brains need. Supplements can help, but should be used to fill gaps, not replace a healthy diet.
Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open. – B.K.S. Iyengar
The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease. ― Thomas A. Edison
A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools. – Spanish Proverb
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To Your Success,
Althea
Althea A. McLeish Wilson, RN, MSN
Educate . Empower . Encourage
Helping you thrive, not just survive!!
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