Posts Tagged ‘increase brain power’

Ways to increase brain power

Friday, August 6th, 2010

The brain is the organ that coordinates our conscious actions, ensuring proper functioning of the body as a whole. It is therefore one of the largest energy consumers of the body and therefore needs some resources.

Memory, concentration and mood depend on energy resources available to our brains. A balanced diet, but also a healthy lifestyle, that includes exercise, helps to maintain our mental health. But, besides a proper lifestyle, we resort to tricks to boost brain power. We can stimulate the brain through food and supplements, giving exactly the substances the brain need.

Currently, the most popular stimulating substances are caffeine or theine – coffee, caffeine based drinks, energy drinks and black tea are indispensable to many. Although it provides energy for a short period of time consumed in large quantities, these substances deplete us and produce various adverse effects, the most common being headaches.

Omega-3

Outer membrane of nerve cells is composed mainly of fatty acids. Therefore, fat is essential for good health and their functioning. Unsaturated fats such as omega-3 is in the top nutrients that should not miss from a balanced diet. Fish, especially the ocean one, contains large quantities of omega-3 fatty acids.

Choline

Choline is a substance belonging to the family of B vitamins, particularly important in the formation of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential nervous system. Choline is able to stimulate memory, concentration power, resistance to stress and to reduce the effects of fatigue. Choline-rich foods are eggs, soy and chicken or beef liver. Lecithin from soybean is one of the supplements with a high content of choline.

Thiamine

Known as Vitamin B1, thiamine biosynthesis has an important role in neurotransmitters. A diet low in thiamine affects the ability of the focus, memory and cause a general feeling lethargic, thiamine can not be stored or produced. Whole grains are the main source of vitamin B1. Determining thiamine in the body is adversely affected by habits such as alcohol, coffee or tea.

Iron

Iron deficiency, without necessarily speaking of iron deficiency anemia, lead to lower capacity memory and overall cognitive. Iron participate in chemical reactions that are designed to deliver energy to brain cells. Therefore, iron deficiency deprives brain cells of energy needed tonction at full capacity. Foods rich in iron are liver, chicken, pork or beef, red meat, fish, seafood, green vegetables (broccoli, spinach, lettuce), egg yolks, etc..