Nutritional Food Supplements for Brain

by MALLIKA NAGA Blogger

The brain is responsible for the whole body functioning. A healthy human brain indicates a healthy lifestyle and success in one’s life. The brain is a hungry organ which consumes a lot of body's energy. The brain constitutes about 3% of the body’s weight yet 25% of blood glucose is utilized by the brain. The majority of vitamin C in the body is consumed by the brain.

Neurotransmitters in the brain are constantly sending out signals to the central nervous system to keep the heart beating and the lungs filling with air. These neurotransmitters cannot do the job without the proper fuel Proper (nutrients). Nutrition reduces inflammation throughout your body, including the brain. The brain sends the signals to the digestive system to start breaking down food and delivering nutrients to all parts of the body, including the brain. So even digestive processes are powered by the brain. Hence, the brain needs to have its nutrients replenished regularly.

The following are the nutrients that are essential for the healthy functioning of the brain:

1.Vitamin D:

It is a well-known fact that Vitamin D grows healthy bones. A lesser-known fact is that Vitamin D grows healthy neurotransmitters. Over a lifetime, Vitamin D deficiency can lead to diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Sun exposure for 15 to 20 minutes daily is the most natural source of Vitamin D. Nutraceutical Health Supplements for vitamin D are also available in the market.

2.Magnesium:

Magnesium is one of the most important minerals that is required for good brain functioning. Elasticity in the nerves is due to Magnesium which helps in receiving the messages effectively that are sent by the brain. In addition, it aids in converting sugar into energy. Low magnesium levels in the body often cause a cloudy feeling. This is a sign that your brain is not receiving enough magnesium to do its job.

To replenish magnesium levels try to eat below-mentioned foods more regularly:

Spinach
Almonds, Cashews, and Peanuts
Quinoa
Edamame
Black Beans
Brown rice

3.Vitamin C:

When Vitamin C is absorbed into the body, it gets transformed into the powerful antioxidant, ascorbate. It fights free radicals that can cause cellular damage or cancer. It also keeps the tissue of your brain healthy and leads the charge against stroke. Vitamin C is also necessary for the absorption of vitamin D by the body.

The foods that are the best source of Vitamin C are:

Oranges
Kiwi
Strawberry
Tomato
Lemon
Pineapple

Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

The brain is almost 50% made up of fat. Omega-3 fatty acids are a “good fat” that maintain a healthy brain. replace unhealthy saturated fats with Omega-3 fatty acids to keep mental alertness your whole life.

The foods that contain Omega-3 fatty acids are:

Eggs
Fatty fish ( salmon and sardines )
Walnuts
flaxseed
Brussel sprouts
Soybeans

B Vitamins:

Every B vitamins play a large role in brain health. They help to keep the neurotransmitter healthy which keeps your memory sharp. They also regulate the functioning of the part of the brain that controls your moods and mental alertness. Finally, they keep the volume of the brain tissue full and supple to help ward off illness. Vitamin B deficiency develops low mental acuity, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease, mental illness, depression, and insomnia. B2 (riboflavin); B3 (niacin), B9 (folate), and B12 (cobalamin) are the B-Vitamins that have the most significant impacts on brain health.

Foods to eat to consume the B Vitamins are:

Seafood
Lentils
Legumes
Broccoli
Kale
Poultry
Sunflower seeds

Vitamin E:

Vitamin E is an antioxidant. It regulates the amount of energy we have and reduces stress. It also helps the brain send signals to other vital organs, especially the eyes. In fact, Vitamin E deficiency causes irreversibly blurred or decreased vision.

The sources of Vitamin E are:

Wheat germ
Almonds
Eggs
Avocado
Sunflower seeds

Right Time to Opt for Nutritional Food Supplements:

Medical Researchers recommend that we get our vitamins and minerals from natural food sources. Skip processed foods and opt for whole-grain, unprocessed, and natural foods whenever possible. As the brain is constantly at work and never gets to rest, it consumes fuel in the form of nutrients derived from vitamins and minerals. Hence supply the brain with plenty of these necessary nutrients so better brain health is maintained throughout our entire lifetime. When it is not possible to get enough of a certain vitamin, due to a food allergy then the next best thing is to take an over the counter Nutritional Food Supplements. Take your doctor’s advice in this regard.