Day 210- Feed Your Brain

"Everything you have ever experienced, felt, or conducted in life is due to brain function. The ability to enjoy, perceive, sense, and experience life is dictated by the firing rate and health of your brain. It is impossible for a person to become healthy mentally or physiologically without a healthy brain." - Datis Kharrazian, D.H.Sc., D.C., M.S

How can we make sure that we are providing our brain with the right nutrients to help support proper brain function? Sure you can read, study, engage in brain stimulating activities, but how about literally feeding your brain? Below I have provided foods that will feed and promote healthy functioning of your brain.

1. Omega-3 fatty acids- the brain is made up of about 60% of fat, mostly in the form of DHA. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oils, especially cod liver and krill. DHA is one of the major building blocks in the brain and is a essential nutrient for brain health and neuronal function.
2. Eggs- provide the best food source of choline. Choline is a neurotransmitter that has been shown to support general brain function, increase memory, and thinking.
3. Antioxidants- foods like blueberries, pomegranate, acai, sesamin found in sesame seed oil are good sources of antioxidants which help to damped the effects of free-radical activity on the brain. Helping to reduce aging and age-related diseases.
4. Coconut oil- medium chain fatty acids, which get converted into ketones and help to fuel the brain. Has also been shown to help the brain recover after loss of oxygen.
5. Tryptophan- for issues related to low serotonin, it is suggested to increase consumption of tryptophan containing foods such as, chicken breast, shrimp, mushrooms, halibut, salmon, turkey, scallops, etc.
6. Phenylalanine and Tyrosine- for issues related to low dopamine, it is suggested to increase consumption of foods such as, wild game meat, beef, turkey, eggs, chocolate, etc.
7. Glutamic acid and Glutamate- for issues related to low gaba production, it is suggested to increase consumption of foods such as, cheese, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, liver, halibut, spinach, beans, etc.
8. Vitamin B-12- many well documented cases of brain-abnormalities have been shown in strict vegetarians due to B-12 deficiencies. Good sources of Vitamin B-12 include organic grass-fed beef, wild salmon, organic calf liver, eggs, etc.
9. Cherries- are a natural anti-inflammatory, which may help to dampen inflammation in the brain.
10. Curry- yellow curry contains a spice called turmeric, which has a anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect on the brain. In a study, elderly people who ate curry often or very often did better n tests of mental performance than those who never or rarely ate curry.

On top of foods to feed your brain, I also encourage stabilizing your blood sugar, reducing inflammation all together, removing foods that you are allergic or sensitive to, and getting frequent exercise.

Pura Vida!

Alica Ryam, NTP

Picture website