If you think about it your brain is always on. Day or night asleep or wide awake your brain is working. It takes care of your thoughts, movements, breathing and heartbeat. 24/7. Your brain requires a great deal of fuel constantly. Not all fuel is the same in how it burns. If you have a gas car and put diesel fuel in it. You are going to have to have the fuel drained and replaced, because it will not run your car. Same for your brain. You can eat and be full all day long but your brain can be starving. Your brain functions best on premium fuel. High quality is more important than large amounts. Your brain can be damaged by low quality or processed foods.
Your brain uses vitamins and omega’s 3; minerals, and antioxidants.
Let us look at antioxidants and how they help the brain. Stress in our lives creates oxidation, “waste” (free radicals) as these go unchecked in the body they cause disease and even cancer. Free Radicals and inflammatory cells circulating within the brain lead to brain tissue injury. Diets high in refined sugars for example are harmful to the brain. They promote inflammation and oxidative stress. Multiple studies show that high intakes of sugar are linked with depressive symptoms. It is so important to reduce the processed sugars. The easiest way to cut these is by taking soda and other drinks like that out of your diet. The brain needs antioxidants and low inflammation to run at it’s best.
Omega 3’s are also of importance to brain function. Fish oil has an incredible impact when it comes to mild memory loss and depression. Omega 3s have two types EPA and DHA both of which have powerful anti-inflammatory functions in the body. They are both critical to human development and heart health. They are found almost exclusively in fish. So a good fish oil supplement is recommended. Also as far as oils go I will mention that extra virgin olive oil is brain food! In fact Dr Gundry said “the whole purpose of food is to get olive oil into your mouth.” Extra virgin Olive oil has been found in a study of mice to reduce the problems and damage normally found in those with Alzheimer’s disease. Getting enough of these oils into your body is very important to your mental health.
As to why food is such a big deal with how you feel. 95% of the serotonin (which is a neurotransmitter) is Created in the gut. Your gut or (gastrointestinal tract) has the most nerve cells or neurons, outside of the brain. There is a reason why we should trust our gut. The production of serotonin and other neurotransmitters are influenced by the “good” bacteria in your gut and sugars reduce the number and types of ‘good’ bacteria that our body has. Which impacts the amount of neurotransmitter our body produces which impacts our brain.
Try eating ‘“cleanly” for two or three weeks. Cut out processed food, white sugar, industrialized meats, and vegetable oils. Include lots of different kinds of veggies all of different colors. Including fermented foods will boost your “good” bacteria. I promise you, you will feel so much better! You will have more energy and a better mood. You will not want to eat like you did you will prefer the lower levels of pain and the increased energy.
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