Nutrition for the Brain - By: Abdullah Salim

An individual’s eating pattern and food intake affects his behavior, mood and brain function. A person who is starving may feel annoyed and impatient, where as a person who has just had food may feel satisfied and calm. Usually when people wake up the first thing they want is coffee and maybe a light snack with it. The reason is it makes them feel more productive and creative. Some people around us are generally lethargic and temperamental; this may be because they don’t consume enough food and therefore lack in energy. If this diet is deficient over a longer period of time, the person becomes generally sluggish.

A high level of energy and food nutrients is required by a human brain to function normally. Both of these can play a vital role in changing brain chemistry and the functioning of nerves in the brain. Consumption of the nutrients and energy affects the level of chemicals in the brain, known as neurotransmitters. The basic function of neurotransmitters is to transmit nerve pulses from one nerve cell to another. They also affect the sleeping patterns, the thinking ability and moods of an individual.
An excess or low level of certain vitamins or minerals can cause damage to the nerves of the brain, which results in changes in memory, restriction of problem-solving ability and ruining brain function.

A number of nutritional factors including overall energy intake, energy containing nutrients (fats, proteins and carbohydrates), intake of minerals, vitamins, and consumption of alcohol play a role in influencing an individual’s mental health. Often the deficiency of multiple nutrients in the body alters brain function rather than deficiency of a single nutrient.

In developed countries like the United States alcoholism is often responsible for nutritional deficiencies which affect the function of a human brain. Nutritional level is also affected by some diseases that increase the nutrient requirement of the body or affect the consumption of nutrients by the body. Fad diets (popular weight loss diets), ignorance and poverty also contribute to the insufficiency of nutrition level.

Energy Deficiency and Brain Activity

The calorie found in food is also known as Energy, which includes protein, carbohydrates and fat found in the food and beverages. Even though minerals and vitamins are necessary for our body they provide zero energy. The metabolism of a human brain is very active and uses around 20% to 30% of the total energy that we take in. People who don’t consume the required level of calories from food are likely to experience alteration in mental functioning. Individuals skipping breakfast are found to face difficulties in problem solving and thinking ability, especially individuals that are already undernourished. A person starving is going to face lack of energy or motivation.

Constant hunger and lack of energy particularly affects the mood and responsiveness of an individual. A person deprived of energy is more likely to fall sick and get affected by diseases as opposed to a person who is well nourished. By having low energy the body responds by shutting down or slowing down non-essential functions, changing hormonal levels, activity levels, oxygen and nutrient supply, and the ability of the body to fight infections and diseases and other physical functions which directly or indirectly affect the brain function. People with consistent low energy levels are more likely to feel depressed, lazy and hopeless. Malnutrition can result in damaging the brain, especially in case of developing fetuses and infants because they require high level of energy and nourishment for growth. If a person is malnourished in his early years he is likely to have below-normal intelligence and functional and cognitive defects.

What You eat is How You Feel

-A person’s diet affects his mental energy. A diet for a healthy brain includes vegetables, fruits and whole grains. These are foods filled with energy and naturally occurring sugars accompanied by fiber which slows down the sugar absorption process. Cocoa beans, wild salmon, coffee beans, acai berries & blueberries are rated as one of the top foods for the brain. All these foods hold minerals which help our body use the sugar appropriately. A steady supply of glycogen (sugar stored in the liver) is provided by complex carbohydrates from vegetables and fruits.

-Heavy meals absorb the energy from the brain for digestion, so it’s always healthier to have small and frequent meals to keep the blood sugar stable.

-Oxygenating foods- unsaturated oils, wheat germ and fish and soy products.

-Production of neurotransmitters and stable blood sugar can be achieved by animal and vegetable protein.

-Mineral-rich foods help oxygenate the brain and electrolytes improve functions of the central nervous system. This can be done by consuming greens, kelp, fish, whole grains, and potatoes.

-Get rid of all the foods that trigger excess insulin.

-Try to avoid all Stimulants-Sugar and Coffee

-Ordinary distilled or mineral water has impurities and doesn’t provide us with the nutrition that our body needs. Drinking alkaline ionized water helps in better hydration and nutrient absorption.

About the Author

Water plays a vital role in providing us the required nutrients and energy. Alkaline ionized water is better and richer than tap and bottled water. To know more, visit http://www.ChansonAlkalineWater.com and http://www.HealingWaterMachines.com
By Nedalee Ruiz and Abdullah Salim.
Permission granted to reproduce with links.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Abdullah-Salim/52196

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