A
happy brain is a well fed brain- and this is not food from the
"Standard American Diet." A happy brain depends on a happy gut and a lot
of Americans don't have this. Just like your body needs nutritious
foods to function, your brain works better if you eat healthy. Don’t
just fuel your body...fuel your brain!
Our
brain cells are made up of raw materials. If we don't have enough of
the raw materials that make up brain cells, i.e. protein (amino acids)
and healthy fats (fatty acids), you cannot build a healthy brain.
What
you eat is in direct correlation to how your brain works. Your brain
controls everything you do, give it all your support! How do you support
your brain? By having a well functioning gut from eating nutritious
foods. As I mentioned earlier, proteins and fats are very important. You
also need vitamins, minerals and trace minerals to help make
neurotransmitters, hormones and enzyme systems. These allow your brain
(the most magnificent super computer on the planet) to orchestrate all of the functions that make us who we are and allow us to do what we do.
There
is an increase in celiac disease and gluten intolerance, thought, in
part, to be a result of the changes in the American wheat supply. We
also worry about the massive use of pesticides and herbicides, and the
genetically modified corn and soy, which have become so prevalent in the
American food supply. These things are so unnatural to our environment
and thus to our bodies. For susceptible people gluten can affect the
brain and cause brain fog and mood changes.
With
the amount of sugar, processed foods, soda and alcohol we consume, we
end up on a blood sugar roller coaster. This throws our brains (not to
mention our adrenal glands and insulin receptors) totally out of
balance.
Bottom
line, to have a healthy brain, we need to eat a healthy diet, with good
quality protein, healthy fats and food loaded with mineral and
vitamins. So what does a healthy diet look like?
1. Quality protein. Eat protein with every meal! Organic, range free meat is a great way to get your protein.
2. Raw nuts and seeds: Perfect for a healthy gut.
3. Healthy fats
(remember our brains are about 80% lipid - so we really are fat heads):
Unrefined coconut oil and milk, organic butter, extra virgin olive oil
and avocado.
4. Vegetables: 5-7 servings a day (fresh or frozen organic is best). This is one of your sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber.
5. Berries:
Fruit is a great snack and can be added to muffins or salads. Want to
know which berry the brain loves? BLUEBERRIES. They are powerhouses of
antioxidants which help protect the brain from stress.
6. Grains: My
take on whole grains has changed as I have learned about the dangers of
all the manipulation that goes on with them. My grain recommendations
are things like brown rice, wild rice, gluten free steel cut oats and
quinoa- in their whole form.
For
any of you suffering from any type of gut problem, or mood disorders,
gluten free is a very important consideration. You cannot be sort of or
almost gluten free. For it to work is has to be 100 % all the time. One
little exposure can cause you problems for months.
You
definitely are what you eat and what you can absorb. If you increase
the quality of your food, you increase the quality of your health. A
win - win in my book.
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