Human beings are amazing adapters. We seem to bounce back from any and all evolutionary challenges and even thrive in the chaos. Can we continue to do this through all the immense changes in our lifestyle and the world around us?
Easy Brain Stress Treatments
Life is not very simple anymore. Life is stressful, fast-paced, over scheduled and overwhelming on a sensory level. Cell phones, computers, texting, Twittering, Facebook , ear pieces, traffic congestion, lessons and high expectations of wealth or success are all relatively new phenomena and our brains simply cannot keep up. It might seem like people are adapting but the effects of this overload are bleeding out in symptoms such as panic attacks, OCD, fatigue, personality disorders, memory and sleeping issues. Autism, ADHD, schizophrenia and other conditions are sweeping the world in ever increasing numbers.
Good Nutrition For the Brain
There seems to be no root cause or solution but it is not a coincidence that our diet has also changed dramatically in the last 100 years and we are suffering from mental malnutrition. Certain aspects of certain foods are necessary for brain function and the current diet practiced by the majority of western countries is deficient in these essential nutrients. The overall nutritional solution is quite complex ;however, even making a few diet changes can protect your family from brain drain and the threat to their mental health.
- Eat whole grains, brown rice and stay away from processed refined carbohydrates. The brain and nervous system requires glucose for fuel. The brain uses about 40% of the carbohydrates you eat simply to function effectively. They have to be the right kind of carbs to produce optimum results though. Refined carbs such as white bread, processed cereals, white sugar and polished rice can actually drop your IQ. (Schauss)
- Eat 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables a day choosing a whole rainbow of colors to gain the most health effects.
- Stay away from sugar substitutes.
- Balance your blood sugar by eating a protein source with your carbohydrate, this produces a slow release sugar source.
- Always eat the right kind of fat; your brain and nervous system needs cholesterol, omega-3 fat, omega-6 fat and saturated and monosaturated fats to function effectively. Try to consume seeds, flax seed, pumpkin seeds, cold water fish, walnuts, eggs, salmon and hemp.
- Have at least three protein rich foods a day. Eat beans, lentils, and quinoa, tofu, organic lean meat.
- Supplement with a multivitamin containing 200mg magnesium, 10 mg zinc, 3mg manganese, 100mcg folic acid, 10 mcg Vit B12, and 25 mg of all the Vitamin B groups.
Your brain health is crucial to daily quality of life and easily maintained by creating a positive environment through diet. Give your family all the building blocks to manage and improve memory, thought processes, reflexes, concentration and learning ability and watch them adapt to the ever-changing world around them successfully.
Source:
Schauss, A., J.App.Nutr., 35,1, (1983)
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