Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Brain Food


It is vital to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to think better and support brain function. These vitamins and minerals can potentially help your I.Q. and stimulate your brain. It is important to make sure that you consume foods that are high in antioxidants, which cleans your brain from free radicals, which can inhibit brain cells. Some of the foods include: berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries…), apples, raisins, grapes, cherries, prunes, and spinach.

Another group of food to consider is foods that contain Omega 3- fatty acids, which includes: salmon, mackerel, sardines, flax oil, and walnuts. These foods can facilitate in providing a healthy brain function as well as restoring memory. I recommend eating cereals that contain flax for those who are vegan. A cool fact: Walnuts are shaped like our brains, which inevitably is a wonderful source of nutrients for your brain.

Although it is recommended to receive your daily vitamins through whole food, some may not have the time and/or resources to have these foods on a daily basis. For those I suggest to take supplements such as: multivitamins, antioxidant supplements, Omega- 3, selenium, Vitamin E, Folic Acid and Ginkgo Biloba.

Essentially it is important to drink a lot of water. It is recommended to drink 8 cups a day to keep the brain functioning properly. Another influential drink is tea, specifically matcha tea, which comes from a green tea plant. Several studies have come out with the many benefits it contains. It is said that matcha green tea has up to 10 TIMES more benefits than regular green teas.

Stay Healthy and Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle,

Farah Shamolian

References: www.brainready.com & www.yourfamilyclinic.com