Whole foods help to keep your head healthy
By Jo-Anne Hopkins
Can't remember the name of that person you were introduced to last night? Can't remember what you need at the grocery store? Don't worry - this happens to all of us.
As we age, a greater chance of decreased mental acuity and retention does exist. Many factors contribute to decreased mental acuity, such as:
- decreased circulation causing lack of adequate blood flow to the brain or lack of sufficient nutrients in the blood,
- decreased nervous system efficiency,
- essential fatty acid deficiency,
- mal-digestion, and
- mal-absorption of nutrients.
The good news is that you can do something about it - and the best part is that it can be found in your kitchen.
Whole foods can prove to be very beneficial in decreasing the symptoms associated with ageing. Also of great help are certain nutritional supplements that focus on improving circulation, nerve function, and overall health. So, it's time to do a mental health checkup in your kitchen.
Whole foods that improve circulation, nerve transmission, information retention, and overall mental health are foods that are rich in antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E; vitamins B5, B6, and B12; essential fatty acids; phospholipids; and co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Examples of these nutrient-rich foods include blueberries, raspberries, oranges, tomatoes, carrots, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, dendelion greens, garlic, onions, almonds, sunflower seeds, oats and whole grains, flaxseed oil, eggs, soy beans, salmon, sardines, mackerel, and tuna.
So you know the kinds of foods you should be eating to keep you mentally fit, but is that enough? Unfortunately, sometimes we simply can't get enough nutrients from the foods we eat, and this is why I recommend nutritional supplements. They act as health insurance by providing concentrated amounts of nutrients, just in case you aren't eating as well-balanced a diet as you should. Nutritional supplements, such as good quality greens powders, are made from nutrient-dense whole foods, including things such as alfalfa, spiulina, soy sprouts, broccoli, spinach, carrots, antioxidant rich berries, and most often, they'll also contain acidophilus (friendly bacteria for a healthy colon).
Other nutritional suppplements - vitamin E, co-enzyme Q10, and vitamin C - act as antioxidants to rid your body of free radicals. Also of note are phosphotidyl serine and lecithin (found in egg yolk and soy), two healthy fat compounds, that are used to improve memory, nerve transmission and coomunication, and to help remove unhealthy fatty deposits throughout the body.
So next time you're in the kitchen, take a look in your fridge and see what healthy brain-building foods you can find.
About the Author:
Jo-Anne Hopkins is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Certified Aromatherapist. She is the Licenced Manager for the Kingston Branch of the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and owner of Natural Alternatives Wellness and Nutrition. She actively teaches, writes, and provides consulting services for nutrition and holistic lifestyle practices.
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