Everyone knows that your diet is very important when determining how healthy you are. However, what is less clear is the role of nutrition on the way that your brain functions. There are certainly a number of foods that scientists and doctors think may improve your brain functions. Best of all, these are foods that are good for you and may also help you feel better.
Oil fish good for brain and body
One type of food that many people do not get is fish. When you look at the diets of cultures that live long, healthy lives, like Japanese people, there are a lot more fish than what many of us may eat regularly. Fish have omega-3 fatty acids that may help your brain and body alike, so there are multiple benefits to eating more fish. Make sure that the fish you are eating is not high in mercury or other toxins, of course.
Don’t like the taste of fish?
If you do not like the taste of fish or for some reason want to get the benefits of eating more fish without actually doing so, you can try nutritional supplements that contain fish oil. When doing so, make sure to check that they are mercury-free and do not contain any toxins. Distilled fish oil supplements may be the best choice to use. If you prefer, you can also buy the flavored variety.
For our vegetarian friends, there are other sources of omega-3 fatty acids that will help you to be healthy without going outside of your chosen lifestyle. Consuming walnuts or flax can help your body to get omega-3 acids, for instance. Now, not everyone’s body can successfully extract and convert omega-3 acids from such foods, of course. If you eat a lot of processed foods, you may not be able to get the maximum benefit of omega-3 fatty acids from walnuts, for instance. Algae supplements are also effective sources of omega-3; after all, that’s where fish get theirs!
Other foods that may help the brain
When it comes to scientific proof of helping your brain to function better, fish and fish oil are at the top of the list. However, there are other food substances that can also have a positive effect, even if the effects are not yet as well-documented as with fish and fish oil. One example is turmeric, which you may know better as a yellow spice that is an ingredient in many items, including mustard that is often used in the United States. Turmeric comes from tropical plant life and can provide many benefits. Curcumin and even ibuprofen can also help as they are anti-inflammatory.
Fruits and vegetables can help your brain to be at its best, too. The very same pigments that give fruits and vegetables their distinctive colors also have antioxidants that may help fight against many health problems. You can even get increased protection from environmental toxins with the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables may also help your body. When eating fruits and vegetables, make sure to take in a variety of both and ensure that you get enough of both vitamins C and E.
Other things that may help your brain function properly
There are many other ways to help your brain do its job than to simply improve your diet. Of course, you need to keep your brain active and exercise it as you would your muscles or body by lifting weights or engaging in cardiovascular exercise. Furthermore, if you do not engage in harmful activities such as smoking, your body and brain alike will be better off. However, on top of all of these other suggestions, you can take more care to consume the types of foods we have discussed and you will be well on the way to greater brain health, too. Mixing in some more fish oil, turmeric, fruits, and vegetables in your diet is not as difficult as it may seem and could help you out a lot in the long run.
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| The information presented is not intended to, and does not in anyway, constitute or replace a medical advice, and it should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem. The information is provided for educational purposes only, and is based upon the authors’ personal experiences or point of view. If you think you have a health problem, please consult a qualified medical professional.. |
