Are There Really Brain Foods? Can What You Eat Actually Benefit Your Brain?
We've all heard the expression "You are what you eat", and thinking of that expression the other day lead me to do a little research.
Turns out, when it comes to foods for the brain, that old saying really is true! There are certain brain foods that actually contribute to stronger mental health.
Find out what they are in this article.
Brain Development Feeds on Omega 3s It starts right in the womb: our neurological development is literally fed by essential fatty acids, specifically omega 3s and omega 6s.
These acids are called 'essential' because they are necessary for us to live, but they are not produced by our bodies: we have to ingest them.
Babies take their mothers' stores of omega 3 and omega 6 in order to form their retinas (visual development), and develop their brains both from a physical standpoint, but also from a social develop perspective.
Brain Is Made of Fats As we discussed above, we need essential fatty acids in order to stay healthy, even past birth.
If we eat a very low-fat or no-fat diet, we are at risk of getting too many omega 6s in our diet (omega 6s are found in safflower oil, hydrogenated oils such as those in processed foods, and margarine.
) When the balance is off between the omegas, our brain cells become stiff and it's hard for signals to fire between cells.
Foods For The Brain Can Prevent Degenerative Diseases This hardening of the cells is thought to be at the root of a number of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia, to name a few.
To keep the balance correct, it's important to eat omega 3-rich items, such as:
When brain foods aren't part of your menu, you're at greater risk than you know for any age-related diseases.
Find out more about protecting your brain and other suggested foods for the brain on my website.
Turns out, when it comes to foods for the brain, that old saying really is true! There are certain brain foods that actually contribute to stronger mental health.
Find out what they are in this article.
Brain Development Feeds on Omega 3s It starts right in the womb: our neurological development is literally fed by essential fatty acids, specifically omega 3s and omega 6s.
These acids are called 'essential' because they are necessary for us to live, but they are not produced by our bodies: we have to ingest them.
Babies take their mothers' stores of omega 3 and omega 6 in order to form their retinas (visual development), and develop their brains both from a physical standpoint, but also from a social develop perspective.
Brain Is Made of Fats As we discussed above, we need essential fatty acids in order to stay healthy, even past birth.
If we eat a very low-fat or no-fat diet, we are at risk of getting too many omega 6s in our diet (omega 6s are found in safflower oil, hydrogenated oils such as those in processed foods, and margarine.
) When the balance is off between the omegas, our brain cells become stiff and it's hard for signals to fire between cells.
Foods For The Brain Can Prevent Degenerative Diseases This hardening of the cells is thought to be at the root of a number of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia, to name a few.
To keep the balance correct, it's important to eat omega 3-rich items, such as:
- herring
- mackerel
- sablefish
- flax seed
When brain foods aren't part of your menu, you're at greater risk than you know for any age-related diseases.
Find out more about protecting your brain and other suggested foods for the brain on my website.
