The brain is one of the most important organs in the human body that must always be rated as healthy. A healthy brain means healthy body. If there is problem with the brain’s health, the body will also experience specific problems. For instance, if the brain cells are not fully protected with fats that form a sheath, there will be problems with the electrical activities of the brain, which will eventually connect to a certain body part. If the brain cells are depleted of the necessary fuel, almost all parts of the body are affected. One does not need to spend a lot in order to improve the health of the brain, below are some of the natural approaches to acquire healthy brain:

1. Eat Foods with Complex Carbohydrates

   Carbohydrates are fuel for the brain. Our brain feeds on carbohydrates or sugar to function well its mental activity, which is largely draining to the body. If the brain is weakened because of lack of sugar, the body will not move and the motivation is slackened. Carbohydrates are the very first nutrient utilized by the body to form into energy. If carbohydrates are depleted, the body will convert sugar from fatty acids and proteins. There are two types of carbohydrates, though, the simple carbohydrates/sugar and complex carbohydrates/sugar. Both are good for the brain, but the recommended type is the complex carbohydrates. Simple sugars give immediate fuel to the brain. Complex carbohydrates are like time-release capsules, it releases sugar gradually when needed. Complex carbohydrates come from natural foods, as opposed to simple sugars, which are largely coming from processed foods. Eating foods that are considered to be complex carbohydrates, such as oats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and brown rice, will reduce the body’s stress because the brain is fueled constantly.

2. Make your vegetables colorful

   Colorful vegetables sound amusing, but there is truth in this advice. The colors of the vegetables indicate the nutrients it contains which can be beneficial to the health of the brain. Each color of the rainbow is well represented by the vegetables that provide health benefits to the neurons. Red, especially the red from bell peppers and tomatoes, contain the phytonutrients necessary to protect the brain cells from further damage. Orange and yellow fruits, such as carrots and pumpkin, also provide nutrients, especially vitamin C, which also protects the brain from the damaging actions of free radicals. Green vegetables are so popular. Spinach for instance can also function as antioxidant. Lastly, the blue and purple vegetable, such as the berries, help in boosting one’s memory. There are several studies conducted that blueberries, blackberries and plums, can actually protect the brain from the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

3. Get your daily dose of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

   According to the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine, the daily dose of linolenic acid must range between 1.1 to 1.6 grams per day. Linolenic acid is the building block of omega-3 fatty acids in the body. Omega-3 fatty acids is essential for the brain’s health because it has the capacity to protect the membranes of the healthy cells, in this case, the brain cells. If the brain cells, or neurons, do not have a healthy membrane, the water and the vital nutrients within the cell will burst out. With unhealthy cell membrane, neurons will not be able to communicate effectively with one another, which results to more diseases. By taking enough amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, the body will be protected from brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and other psychological disorders where integrity of cell membrane is implicated, such as ADHD and bipolar disorder. Omega-3 fatty acids are rich in flax seeds, walnuts, soybeans, salmon, sardines, halibut, shrimp and scallops.

4. Indulge in Social Activities

   In the study made by Rush University Medical Center, individuals who indulge themselves in social activities more frequently have lesser chances of experiencing cognitive decline. By visiting friends, doing volunteer jobs, going to church functions and joining parties, the rates of cognitive decline is reduced compared to those who are not socially active. According to Dr. Bryan James, the possible reason for this occurrence is that social activity allows one to participate in complex interpersonal interactions, which can maintain the neural networks of the brain. If there is less social interactions, the neural networks will somewhat dissipate.

5. Don’t forget L-Carnitine

   L-carnitine naturally occurs in our body. The liver and kidneys make the substance, which is necessary to burn fats for energy, and it is stored in the heart, muscles and brain. L-carnitine acts as antioxidant because it fights the harmful substances in our body that causes further damage to the healthy cells. The main sources of L-carnitine are the red meats and the dairy products. It is also found in fish, chicken and other poultry, avocados, asparagus, wheat and peanut butter. There are also supplements of L-carnitine sold in the pharmacies. As an antioxidant, it is effective for the brain’s health because it can easily cross the blood brain barrier, helping fight the harmful substances that may damage the brain cells. L-carnitine, particularly the acetyl-l-carnitine, can help in supporting the survival of the existing brain cells, while at the same time; boost the growth of more neurons as well as synapses. More significantly, acetyl-l-carnitine protects the cell’s mitochondria. The mitochondria are actually what give life to the cells; when this is damaged, the brain cells will be damaged too.

6. Drink Green Tea

   Green tea may not contain the traditional nutrients the body needs, but it contains high amounts of phytonutrients that are beneficial to brain’s health. In the latest research conducted by the Newcastle University scientists, they have discovered that drinking green tea regularly can protect the brain from diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and the complicated dementia. Green tea contains protective properties called the polyphenols that bind with the neurotoxic substances, such as hydrogen peroxide and beta-amyloid, which are thought to be responsible for the development of Alzheimer’s disease, and deactivating them. Green tea is also beneficial for those who are victims of stroke. Further damage is impeded when the primary catechin of green tea called the epigallocatechin-3-gallate (ECGC), prevents free radicals from forming right after the stroke episode. By drinking green tea regularly, ECGC levels is increased and irreversible damage to the brain is reduced.

Sources
health.yahoo.net
fi.edu
whfoods.org
sciencedaily.com
umm.edu
disabled-world.com
sciencedaily.com