When you think about living in your most optimal state of health, where does brain health fit in? It’s easy to consider key areas like eating well, sleeping well, meditating well, and moving well, but did you know that brain function supports all areas of wellness? It’s definitely a topic worth our attention!
Brain cells are the most metabolic-demanding cells in the body. Therefore, what we put into our bodies plays a key role in determining how well our brain functions. It might be surprising to learn, but the truth is, memory, cognitive function, and concentration are all influenced by nutrition.
The two easiest ways to improve your brain’s health are by adjusting your diet and by taking the right supplements.
Here are simple ways that you can begin to make positive changes and increase your brain health today!
HOW TO IMPROVE BRAIN HEALTH
IMPROVING BRAIN HEALTH THROUGH YOUR DIET
Around the world, the populations with the lowest incidence of cognitive decline are typically fish eaters. They also consume more monounsaturated fatty acids like those in olive oil and drink light-to-moderate amounts of alcohol like red wine. And they all tend to consume a broad array of non-starchy vegetables and fruit.
If you’re looking for a non-starchy fruit to add to your diet to begin improving brain health today, we recommend starting with a daily serving of berries – but especially sweet, juicy blueberries. All flavonoid-rich fruits and berries seem to have a similar impact, but some studies show that consuming about 1 cup of blueberries a day yielded significant improvements in learning.
Enjoying caffeine, in many wonderful sources like coffee, tea and chocolate, is also great for your brain. Not only can caffeine make you feel more energized it also improves memory, reaction times and overall brain function.
IMPROVING BRAIN HEALTH WITH SUPPLEMENTS
Bacopa is a popular Ayurvedic brain boosting herb that has traditionally been used to enhance memory, learning and concentration. Recent clinical evidence bears this out with significant improvements seen in those taking this herb for extended periods.
Ginkgo biloba is another popular herbal for enhancing brain function. While studies are somewhat inconclusive the strong anecdotal evidence and long history of use make this an appealing choice. Users report improvements in memory focus and concentration while using Ginkgo.
Omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA has been shown to reduce the decline in brain function associated with aging while increasing mood and brain function.
Creatine not only builds strong muscles but also improves memory and intelligence. The effects of creatine are even more pronounced in vegetarian and vegans as it is normally obtained through the diet in meat. (Not to worry, creatine supplements are vegetarian.)
MCT Oil has become popular for helping with weight loss. While the evidence there is mixed, there is strong evidence that this special fat medium-chain triglycerides/MCT can improve cognitive function. Once ingested the body converts the MCTs into a brain super fuel called ketones which have been shown to ease problems with thinking, memory, and judgment. Also, with more advanced cognitive issues the brain typically loses its ability to use glucose efficiently. Ketones from MCT can slide in and be the fuel that keeps your brain working better.
Vitamin B12 has been shown to halt the shrinking of grey matter in aging brains. Vitamin B12 can give you a nice boost of energy and improve mood as well.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Choline can help the brain build more of the important neurotransmitter Acetylcholine, which has been shown to increase alertness, improve memory, and slow age-related memory loss.
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WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- Brain health is an important part of overall wellness.
- You can support your brain’s health through diet and proper supplements.
- Our Lazy Acres Market Wellness Experts are ready to help answer any questions you have and to help you find the tools you need in order to optimize your brain health.
As we all take steps to improve our health and to live well, we inspire others and give them permission to do the same. Living Healthy improves our lives on a micro level and also helps us begin to contribute to the improvement of our environment, our communities, and our world in ways we can’t always imagine.