In this article, we’ll talk about the vitamins that are important to the brain so you can make the most of them. Knowing the substances on this list can be especially helpful if you notice that you’re tired or that your mental performance isn’t 100. %.
The brain is undoubtedly the most important organ in our entire body, it is responsible for regulating all the vital functions that allow us to stay alive, in addition to being the place of origin of our consciousness, our thoughts and our personality. Therefore, taking care of this organ with the utmost care is vitally important.
- Vitamins are a series of natural substances necessary for the proper functioning of our body.
- They are naturally present in the foods we eat.
- So a balanced diet should be enough to keep them at adequate levels.
Of all the existing vitamins, some have a particularly positive effect on our brain and its main functions, for example, we can improve our memory or attention if we consume adequate amounts of any of these substances.
The problem is that sometimes our diet is not as optimized as it should be, so it is essential to know which vitamins are most important to the brain and in what foods we can find them, in this article we will talk about:
Let’s look at each one of them
Vitamin A, also known as beta-carotene, is one of the most memory-aiding vitamins. Several studies have linked this substance to protection against cognitive degeneration and improved overall mental capacity. In addition, a lack of vitamin A has been found to cause serious problems, such as permanent blindness.
Where is this vitamin so beneficial to our brain?Beta-carotene is a reddish pigment found in a variety of foods, such as carrot, pumpkin, mango, or papaya, so eating fruits like this can help if you start having memory problems.
The second major vitamin on our list, also known as thiamine, is one of the most important components of the brain and nervous system and plays a key role in converting food into energy, as well as intervening in other vital functions, such as blood. glucose circulation and absorption.
As for its effect on the brain, it has been proven that lack of vitamin B1 can cause all kinds of serious effects: from memory loss to depression, to devastating Korsakoff syndrome, typical of people who have consumed a lot of alcohol in their life. Lives.
This substance, so important to the body, is mainly found in meat (such as chicken, pork or veal), as well as oilseeds, some fruits and vegetables and some whole grains.
Vitamin C is one of the best known in the world for its multiple beneficial effects for our body, it is also called ‘ascorbic acid’, and is a powerful antioxidant that prevents premature brain aging.
This can help improve brain function, such as attention or memory, according to research; on the other hand, it also prevents the onset of certain diseases, which can range from a simple cold to cancer; Finally, it is also considered by some experts as a natural antidepressant because it increases Serotonin levels, thus improving our mood.
This important vitamin is especially present in citrus fruits: orange, tangerine, strawberry, berries, pineapple or grapefruit are some of the fruits in which it is found in greater abundance, some vegetables, such as broccoli or pepper, also have a high concentration of vitamin C.
The last of the major brain vitamins on the list is, in a way, an exception. It is the only one of these substances that is not present in any known food; however, keeping it at adequate levels is essential for our brain and body to function properly.
How can we get more vitamin D? The answer is in direct exposure to the sun, sunlight allows us to metabolize this substance directly in our body, generating improvements in mood, promoting the creation of testosterone and increasing our mental ability to solve problems.
As you can see, most of the important vitamins for the brain are present in healthy foods: fruits, vegetables and meats, so following a balanced diet, accompanied by exercise and adequate sun exposure, will help improve the functioning of your brain.