Nutrition And Your Brain Health

Nutrition And Your Brain Health

Is proper nutrition responsible for a healthy brain?

Our brain makes up two percent of our total body weight, yet consumes over thirty percent of our nutrients and calories.

Activity is controlled by the brain- no matter what it is…the taste of food, any movement or exercise, making or storing memories.

The brain is the computer that runs your body. It needs power to communicate and it NEVER shuts off, even when you’re asleep. It controls all emotion, appetite, breathing, sleep and heart rate.

Just as we human beings can communicate with each other using different languages, the brain has it’s own internal communication system. This system is made up of neurotransmitters and amino acids, peptides and neurons.

CAUTION: Any excitatory amino acid (or precursor), such as Aspartic acid, should never be used on an empty stomach as they can also function as an excitotoxin and destroy neurons. Our brain demands sufficient amounts of neurotransmitters in order to function properly.

Although getting the raw material to the brain should solve the problem, it can be absorbed if the enzymes, glucose or gastrointestinal system are not all functioning properly. Thus the brain cannot get the nutrition it needs in order function properly.

What does the brain need?

1. Fats: EFA’s or essential fatty acids. These types of fats actually regulate a release of neurotransmitters for proper brain health. Transfats should be avoided at all costs.

2. Proteins: They are broken down into amino acids. These amino acids are used in manufacturing neurotransmitters. One of those amino acids is Tryptohpan 5HTP, used to balance the release of serotonin and melatonin, chemicals released for calming or regulated sleep.

3. Vitamins and Minerals: Catalysts that prevent oxidation from taking place in the brain cells, in other words, the front line of defense.

4. Carbohydrates: Blood sugar metabolism must be in balance during the day. If you have constant headaches or lack the ability to focus, you may have low blood sugar. Snacking on complex carbs helps maintain a normal balance. Leave off the refined sugar or simple carbs.

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