Mind Nutrition: Feeding Your Brain The Right Food

The mind is one of the most vital organs in the human biological system that assists us in facilitating our daily activities. The absence of mind power would make us unable to perform our physical functions. Without proper care however, the human brain is subject to deterioration over time, which often leads to memory loss and other memory problems. To prevent this from taking place, it is imperative to provide the brain with the right mind nutrition.



It has been well documented that the food you consume profoundly affects the functioning of your mind including your intelligence, concentration, attention span, emotional response, problem solving and mood swings. Hence, you should consume meals that contain optimum mind nutrition composed of balanced sugar (NO high-fructose corn syrup) which serves as the fuel of your mind, phospholipids that enhances your memory, essential fats, amino acids that serves as your brain messengers as well as vitamin and minerals which are intelligent nutrients that keep your brain in tune. However, while there are nutrients appropriate for your brain, there are also "anti-nutrients" that could damage it, which includes refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup, food allergens, damaged fats, toxic minerals, and food chemicals. Such anti-nutrients are contained in junk food, take-out meals as well as fried food.



Going natural and regularly exercising are always good ways to improve brain functions. As a matter of fact, fruits and vegetables have phytochemicals such as antioxidants and anthocyanin that improves memory and other functions of the brain. These phytochemicals are said to fight off free radicals in the body that contribute to the speedier process of aging among humans that is often accompanied by memory loss. As free radicals often provide our body cells with excessive oxygen that are pointed out as the culprit for the development of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Cancer and Cardiovascular diseases, phytochemicals also provides our bodies and brain with enough protection to safeguard us from these diseases. Most common memory food in the form of vegetables and fruits includes spinach, egg plant, onion, cherries, soy, apples, grapes, broccoli and red beets to name a few.



Other than vegetables and fruits, herbs are also acknowledged as powerful sources of improved mental energy and capacity. Modern clinical studies have shown that the four G's which include gingko, gotu kola, panax ginseng and Siberian ginseng have the power to enhance concentration, alertness, aptitude and intelligence. These four herbs also contain substances that increase the activity of the neurotransmitters of the brain. Aside from the four G's other forms of brain herbs include rosemary which is considered as the plant of memory, sage which is helpful in curing failing memory, and passion flower that is capable of reducing anxiety and soothing moods.



Fish is another memory food that improves brain condition. Fish contains the right amount of choline and omega-3 acids that helps the brain to properly carry out its activities. A variant of B-vitamin, choline is noted for its stimulation and positive effects on the hippocampus, the center of brain memory. On the other hand, omega-3 fatty acids usually found in fish oil are noted to help in the proper formation of the brain nerve cell membranes and membrane fluidity, thereby improving moods and mental behavior.



Food is essential and can be considered as the primary recipe for good health for the body and brain. If you want to augment the potentials of your brain, it is therefore imperative that you provide great emphasis on your mind nutrition by engaging on a diet full of healthy and balanced nutrients. A satisfied brain is truly your wealth as it would ensure you that you could properly perform your physical activities for more years to come. If you're becoming forgetful, chances are, the food you eat is the culprit for such memory lapses; hence, if you want to maintain your memory and ensure it would last for the years to come, it's about time to make changes on the food you eat as well as your lifestyle.