We’re what we eat. Eating is critical to good health and you need to take your diet seriously, because of the power it has to condition the functioning of your body and brain. Our body needs different nutrients to function properly, so it is important to know the properties of various foods and so-called ‘superfoods’.
The brain is one of the most important parts of our anatomy: is it? Central? Where the commands are sent to the rest of the body. We need to ensure that our food is healthy to take care of our brain through it.
- In this article.
- We will introduce some of the nutrients and foods our brain needs to function properly.
- The lack of some of these nutrients and over-consumption can have negative impacts.
Different B-complex vitamins contribute to energy, growth and cell division; they are also part of the production process of hormones, enzymes and proteins; they are also important for maintaining the nervous and immune system.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) causes the body to convert food into energy for the brain to absorb glucose. Thiamine deficiency can cause depression, fatigue, attention deficit, memory problems, or mental alertness. Some foods rich in thiamine are:
Vitamin B3 (niacin) has energy functions with B2 and B1. It nourishes the brain, improves anxiety and prevents insomnia. Foods that contain this vitamin include:
They can prevent or delay some cellular damage and are also involved in the aging process. Oxygen is very important, but its exposure causes oxidation and a change in body chemicals, producing free radicals. Free radicals contribute to aging and the onset of diseases such as cancer, diabetes or heart problems.
Antioxidants can combat the effect of free radicals on our body. The antioxidant food group includes:
Oxidative stress also contributes to neurodegeneration and, consequently, the development of Alzheimer’s dementia, although it is not the only cause of the onset of the disease, a diet rich in antioxidants is a good prevention strategy, as well as the habit of exercising and keeping an active mind.
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid for the synthesis of the neurotransmitter Serotonin, which is linked to emotions, depression, temperature control, hunger and sleep. Serotonin also regulates the secretion of melatonin, which is linked to sleep and immune system functioning.
Tryptophan deficiency can have different impacts on our body, such as a vulnerable immune system, stress, anxiety or depression, there are different times when it would be convenient to increase the intake of this nutrient, such as periods of insomnia, periods of intense stress , physical or mental exhaustion.
Tryptophan can be found in the following foods
It is an amino acid whose function is to block certain enzymes, such as encephalins, responsible for the degradation of natural encephalins and endorphins. They are endogenous painkillers, so this nutrient acts as a kind of natural painkiller. It also promotes memory and learning.
This amino acid helps in the formation of certain neuronal hormones that relieve the symptoms of certain neurological diseases. There is a congenital disease in which the person does not have the enzyme that metabolizes phenylalanine, which causes it to accumulate in the body, in this case, it is toxic to the central nervous system and causes brain damage.
Foods rich in this nutrient are
Nowadays most people have little time to eat and cook, this makes the decision about what we buy and eat is dictated by impulses, rather than a well-thought-out planning, this is certainly the best way to give our body the so-called “empty calories” that our body is always hungry for.
A stance contrary to what the whirlwind pushes us would be to take some time on weekdays to make a small eating plan using the foods in which these essential components are present, we only have one body and their health directly affects our performance. better investment than taking the time to take care of it?