Nutrition & Brain Function
Your brain requires nutrients and high protein to function. If your brain gets too much or too little of certain vitamin and minerals, it can damage the nerves in the brain. This can lead to impairing brain function, such as changes in memory and the ability to solve problems.
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Good Nutrition For Brain Health
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Your brain is about 80 percent water, so it's very important that you take in enough water each day to prevent dehydration. Dehydration can cause stress hormones to rise and damage your brain over time. Experts suggest that you drink at least 84 oz. of water a day. Omega-3 fatty acids are a very important ingredient in the makeup of your brain; they make up the grey portion. Neurons are also high in omega-3 fatty acids. Fruits and vegetables contain many antioxidants and are another good source of nutrition for the brain.
Bad Nutrition for the Brain
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Drugs and alcohol kill the brain's cells. Other foods that are bad for the brain are cola, artificial sweeteners, artificial food coloring, nicotine, white bread and junk sugars. Overeating foods that are high in fat can clog arteries and restrict the blood flow to the brain, causing the brain to be sluggish. It's true that fruits and vegetables are brain food.
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How to Improve Brain Function
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Aerobic exercise stimulates the brain and relieves stress. Mental exercise is as easy as working the puzzle in the newspaper every morning. Anything that requires thought is a good way to exercise your brain. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, mature individuals participating in 10 mental health training sessions experienced long-lasting results. The individuals experienced an increase in reasoning skills and the speed in which they processed information, five years after the training was conducted.
Music For The Brain
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Experts say classical music is very stimulating to the brain. One study, conducted by Dr. Frances Rauscher and Dr. Gordon Shaw, illustrated that listening to Mozart while studying produced superior test scores. The Mozart Effect is a term used when music and art are used to help stimulate the brain in a relaxing atmosphere. If you don't like classical music, you can sing along with your favorite music as long as it's relaxing.
Maintaining Good Brain Health
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If you notice that your thought processes seem a little slower or you experience memory loss, talk to your doctor. Early detection is the key to early prevention of brain damage such as Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's is not curable, but its stages can be slowed with early detection and the right medicine.
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