Feed Your Brain the Essential Stuff
By Stephen R. Farris
Just like our bodies need certain vitamins and minerals to function in a healthy manner, the same also applies for our brain.
If you're eating an unhealthy diet on a regular basis, it can leave you feeling sluggish, lacking energy, and can even affect your mental well-being. By that, eating unhealthy could cause an increase in weight and make those clothes that used to fit perfectly, get tossed aside for sweat pants and a T-shirt because they don't fit anymore.
It's enough to leave you depressed. Plus eating the wrong kinds of food could cause one to lose focus and not always think clearly.
But there is hope because you can change this by making a few adjustments with your diet.
Your Brain Needs Essential Nutrients
Our internal organs, muscles, blood and other important parts of our bodies respond to the kinds of foods we eat. That also includes our brain. It's important that the brain also receives essential nutrients such as:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- B Vitamins
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Selenium
Complex Carbs
Another set of essential nutrients the brain needs to function as it should are complex carbohydrates. Those include:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole-grain foods
- Legumes
Amino Acids
Amino acids are the key to building proteins, and help your brain produce neurotransmitters that basically relay messages between nerve cells.
Fatty Acids
Did you know your brain is largely made up of fat? It's true. That's why it's important that your brain gets doses of fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6. Our body can't produce these fatty acids all by itself. They have to be absorbed by the foods we eat, or by taking a supplement.
Water
Water makes up a lot of your brain's mass. You need to consume a certain amount of water each day, not only for brain health, but to keep other parts of your body hydrated. Being just slightly less hydrated can cause your brain to develop certain mental symptoms, such as loss of concentration and irritability.
Remember, just as you work to keep your body in shape, don't forget about brain health either. Feed it the right stuff.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Cincinnati, Ohio.