Maximize the Power of your Mind and Body- Feed your Brain Right to Boost Metabolism, Elevate your Mood and Improve your Memory
THE SCIENCE BEHIND FEEDING THE BRAIN and the body (Nutritional Neuroscience)
The brain is composed of trillions of nerve cells, called neurons. Thought, memory, actions, and many brain functions you're not even aware of depend on speed-of-light interactions of one cell with another. To facilitate the transmission of signals across the gap from one cell to the other, chemicals called neurotransmitters act like biological bridges.
Nutrition affects the brain in three ways. The cell itself needs proper nutrition to carry on its functions just like any other cell in the body.
- The myelin sheath covers the axon of the cell like insulation covering electrical wires. It speeds transmission of electrical signals along the axons, the "wires" of the brain. Deficiencies of nutrients that compose myelin, such as essential fatty acids, delay nerve-impulse transmission.
- The neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, carry messages from one cell to the other and affect mood as well as thoughts and actions. Some of the nutrients in the food we eat become part of the neurotransmitters that help us think. Neurotransmitters are the biological explanation for the food-mood connection.
The right food enhances mental capabilities – helps you concentrate, keeps you motivated, improves memory, reduces stress, as well as helping protect against cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, premature aging and obesity.Eating too much at any meal diminishes mental performance. So to stimulate the brain we need to be careful of food combinations of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, glycemic index, calories, pH of foods, vitamins and minerals and of course eating small meals every 3 hours. In your brain, neurotransmitters are made up of amino acids. Amino acids are the ones that form proteins. The two important amino acids, tryptophan and tyrosine are precursors of the neurotransmitters. Serotonin is made from the amino acid tryptophan. Dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine are made from the amino acid tyrosine. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that relaxes the brain. It is important for sleep, appetite and mood. The other three known as catecholamines are neurotransmitters that stimulate the brain. Dopamine generally excites and is involved in movement, attention and learning. Rich dietary sources of tryptophan are eggs, milk, bananas, dairy, chocolate, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, poultry and meat. Yogurt contains the amino acid tyrosine which is vital to the production of dopamine, noradrenaline and other neurotransmitters. Tyrosine is easily depleted by stress. Tyrosine is also found in turkey, seafood soy, tofu, legumes and tuna. One key neurotransmitter in the brain which keeps brain cells excited is acetylcholine Important for memory. This key chemical is made from choline, which is found in eggs, liver and soybeans.
How the Brain uses Nutrients
The brain uses carbohydrates for energy and omega-3 fatty acids for forming its cell structure. B vitamins play an essential role in brain function. In combination with folic acid , vitamins B6 and vitamin B12 help manufacture and release chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. Also vitamin B12 protects the layer of the myelin that covers the nervous cells. The nervous system relies on neurotransmitters to communicate messages within the brain, such as those that regulate mood, hunger, and sleep .In addition, foods rich in antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamin C,E, beta-carotene and the mineral selenium, help protect brain cells from free-radical damage caused by environmental pollution. Protection against free radicals is important to protecting the brain and neutralizing free radicals.
Other Important Brain Nutrients
- Phosphatidylserine- phospholipid a major building block for brain membranes. Proven to boost energetic and electrical activity across the entire brain.
- Phosphatidylcholine- found in soy products and lecithin. Readily converts to acetylcholine, the memory neurotransmitter in the brain.
- L-Glutamine energy source for the brain, is converted into glutamic acid, essential for cerebral function and GABA an important neurotransmitter.
- Acetyl L- Carnitine- converts fatty acids into metabolic energy, crosses brain barrier where promoting the synthesis of acetylcholine.
- Calcium helps the brain use the tryptophan to manufacture melatonin. This explains why dairy products which contain both tryptophan and calcium are one of the top sleep-inducing foods.
- Iodine is particularly important in children-and if they do not get enough they can end up with an IQ 10-15 points lower than they would otherwise.
- DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). DHA is the primary structural component of brain tissue. A deficiency of DHA in the diet translates into a deficiency in brain function.
Recommended Brain Foods
Blueberries, acai, plums, grapes, eggplant, fish, eggs, brown rice, wheat germ, kidney beans, whole wheat, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, tahini, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, beans, kale, spinach cranberries, plums, grapes, raisins, oat bran, strawberries, bananas, oranges red peppers, sweet potatoes, avocado, broccoli, tomato, soy milk, low-fat yogurt, goat cheese, turkey, chicken, grass-fed beef, lamb, olive oil, garlic, turmeric, green tea and of course coffee beans and cacao beans that are as unprocessed as possible.
An example of how to start your day off
A glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.
1 banana and a green tea with Acai berries.
Morning snack: a handful of walnuts with yogurt and 1 tsp of honey.
Lunch: a kidney bean salad with brown rice and romaine lettuce.
Afternoon snack: 20 dark red grapes.
Dinner: salmon, steamed broccoli with a tomato and rocket salad, olive oil, sesame seeds and lemon.
Some form of exercise should be arranged during the day. This promotes the growth of new brain cells, oxygenates your brain, improves well being, relieves depression and anxiety. Exercising also helps the blood flow more abundantly especially in the front cortex and stimulates the secretion of chemicals that fight against the free radicals. Yoga, Tai Chi, dancing, walking are some examples. Make sure also to drink 1,5 to 2 liters of water a day to keep your brain well hydrated.
Lastly and most importantly ensure your brain and body health with regular sessions of INDIGO Quantum Biofeedback Training, a neurological medical Quantum Biofeedback device used to detect stress, reduce stress and stress management as well as balance your neurotransmitters for optimal results.
Dr. Violetta Anninou, Ph.D.
Diplomate and Board Certified Quantum Academies, Beverly Hills, California, USA.
Mentoring Worldwide
Molecular Biologist with HONORS, University of Delaware, U.S.A.
Holds two doctorates:
1. Holistic Nutrition, Highest Honors, U.S.A.
2. MEDICAL BOARD CERTIFIED BIOFEEDBACK DOCTORATE IMUNE (THE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF NATURE MEDICINE)
Post Graduate Studies in Neuro-Anatomy, in Neuroelectro-Physiology and Neurology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Awarded for her research in Molecular Biology from Dupont, Delaware, U.S.A. (Dupont Medical Research)
Candidate Ph.D. in Quantum Integrative Medicine, U.S.A.
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