Brain development & nutrition
Nutrition is incredibly important to brain function. In order for the brain to run properly, it needs vitamins, minerals, glucose and other essential nutrients.
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Significance
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Improper nutrition can result in decreased brain cell numbers and reduced brain size, according to the Education Resources Center. An individual can also suffer from a brain that is biochemically disorganized.
Effects
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There are certain foods that are essential for the production of neurotransmitters, according to the University of Washington. When neurotransmitters are not properly produced or there is an imbalance of transmitters, mental and neurological disorders can occur.
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Considerations
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Milk is high in chemicals that are essential for brain function. Some examples of chemicals that are essential to neurotransmitters include aspartic acid, choline, tyrosine, tryptophan and glutamic acid. Foods that are high in these chemicals include eggs, milk, meat, potatoes and soybeans.
High-Fat Diets
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A diet that is high in fat could also pose a risk to brain development. When scientists fed high-fat food to pregnant mice, their babies had issues with brain development and exhibited addictive-like behaviors, according to the Science Daily. This study may have implications for humans.
Brain Function
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It isn't just brain development that relies on nutrition. For example, when an individual is deficient in iron or vitamin B12, this can cause impaired cognitive function.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Shaheen Lakhan Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of hobvias sudoneighm
