Simple Approach to Brain Foods and Proper Mind Nutition

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When you think of feeding someone or yourself, you automatically think food. Well that’s part of what I’ll be going over in this series. But there’s more to it than just the food you eat. You also consume things through your mind; and like food, these “things” not only affect the way you think and feel, but also the things you manifest into your physical being as well.

This article will focus on your brain, introducing you to foods that you can eat every day to help improve your ability to focus, your memory, and your overall brain health.

Because your brain is the “hardware” that powers your body and mind, it’s important to make sure it’s getting the proper nutrition to function, and function well.

Disclaimer: Remember, this article is meant for general guidance, and is no substitute for professional medical advice or attention. Simply put, your doctor knows about you and your personal needs better than I do, so if he/she says something that contradicts what I have to say here, by all means, listen to your doctor.

The Essentials

To put things simply, your brain cells must communicate for neural pathways to form—which is how you store memories, recall memories, learn, think, etc. Neurotransmitters—made from amino acids found in high protein food—are needed to carry these messages from neuron to neuron.

With that being said, your brain can’t operate without neurotransmitters, and it can’t operate effectively without getting the proper amount regularly. Want to become smarter, improve your mental function, and utilize the full potential of your mind (“Become a Brainwave Mind Master” is coming soon!)? Start with getting the proper daily intake of your neurotransmitters.

The three main neurotransmitters are: Acetylcholine (ACh), Dopamine, and Serotonin (5-HT).

You should aim to consume these foods throughout the day to ensure you are getting your neurotransmitters in for the day:

Acetylcholine Foods

Wheat germ
Egg Yolks
Vegetables (mainly broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower)
Milk & Cheese
Meat and Fish

Dopamine Foods

Meat and Fish
Dairy Products
Soy Products
Nuts
Beans

Serotonin Foods (carb-based foods)

Starchy Vegetables
Pasta
Potatoes
Bread and Cereal

Very Important – Antioxidant Intake

Free radicals cause serious damage to your brain—especially over time, due to the fact that the composition of your brain makes it highly susceptible to free radical damage—causing your memory to decline, your thinking to slow, and your focus to sway. Antioxidants—usually associated with immune system health—are what fight off free radicals.

So just as antioxidants are important for a healthy immune system—helping your body fight off diseases and illness—they are also very important for proper and efficient brain function. It’s also nice to know that high antioxidant intake has been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

If you follow these three steps on a daily basis (all three), you’ll have plenty of antioxidants to keep your entire body (including your brain) very healthy:

Take a daily multivitamin supplement – You can find this at pretty much any department store, and will provide you with the basic amount of vitamins and minerals you need each day. Vitamin C and E are especially beneficial to your brain and nervous system.
Eat more fruits and vegetables – Fruits and vegetables are known for their antioxidant content, and are an essential part of a human diet; however, these days it’s becoming more and more common to have very little (or no) fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Eat 3-4 servings a day of both (look it up, it’s not as much as you might think).
Drink green, black, or white tea – This is very underrated, but probably one of the best ways to get an extremely high amount of antioxidants in for the day. Tea is known to have cancer-fighting properties, and can significantly contribute to your overall health if you drink a few cups throughout the day (on a regular basis).
What about the taste-factor? Many people want to drink tea, but can’t get used to the taste. I personally have a hard time drinking any of the teas mentioned (green, black, or white) unsweetened (though I’m trying to taper-off by using a little less per cup each week). Sugar isn’t good for you, and artificial sweeteners haven’t really been proven 100% safe, so what can you do? Use Stevia, a natural herb that is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar.

I personally recommend the NOW brand, which provides quality herbal products at a very inexpensive price. You can buy Stevia packets online from various brands, which will come in packaging similar to what you’re used to seeing artificial sweeteners in.

And that concludes this article! You learned about the importance of neurotransmitters and antioxidants for your brain health (and overall health), and the things you can do to ensure you are getting the proper intake for both.

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