Here are some chilling statistics:
British people now eat 34% fewer vegetables and 59% less fish than 60 years ago.
What are they eating? It isn't just this way in Britain. It is this way in the US too.
According to Russell B. Marz, ND, an assistant professor of nutrition at the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon, the growing use of genetically modified high fructose corn syrup in many foods and beverages has been suspected not only in increasing rates of obesity and diabetes, but also serious food allergies.
Check this out - it is from an article by Dr. Roby Mitchell on the report that was recently published called "Feeding Minds":
These changes (in what we are eating) add up to neurological challenges such as slower brain function and chronic inflammation (which leads to heart problems and also allergies. Poor diet has been linked with mental health in a number of conditions...
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Studies show that people with ADHD are low in certain types of omega-3 fatty acids, like DHA.
Anxiety. Nervousness and anxiety are associated with a lack of folic acid, niacinamide, pyridoxine, magnesium and calcium.
Dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Research has linked Alzheimer's with an increased level of homocysteine, an amino acid metabolite associated with decreased levels of folate, B-12 and pyridoxine.
Depression. Depression is linked to low fish consumption, as well as deficiencies in B vitamins, vitamin C, folic acid, magnesium, selenium and zinc.
Irritability. A lack of vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), magnesium and selenium is commonly found in people who are irritable.
Poor memory and concentration. Lapses in memory and concentration may be linked to a lack of B-12 and other B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids and zinc.
Schizophrenia. Evidence suggests that people with this disorder have low levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids or antioxidant enzymes in the brain... and low levels of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).
You have no doubt heard this advice. But here it is again.
1. Eat as much organic source food as you can. If you eat conventional versions, wash them well.
2. Eat protein.
Protein is the body's source of essential amino acids, required to produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin (which stabilizes mood and promotes sleep) and dopamine (which imparts energy and mental focus). If you lack sufficient amino acids, you cannot manufacture enough of these chemicals. Protein also helps stabilize blood glucose levels and prevent mood swings.
3. Don't go Low Fat! That was a media scare from years ago. Update your thinking!!! More research has been done!!! Think abou this: Seventy percent of the brain is composed of fat (if you exclude the water), making essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) a must for optimal brain function. Research from the Framingham Heart Study shows that people who ate fish more than two times a week halved their risk of Alzheimer's. Another option is to take a daily fish oil supplement of combined DHA and EPA. Of course, you won't want to get your fatty acids from junk food.
4. Eat nuts! Nuts have really important fats (the kind you really need) and also magnesium and zinc, which are extremely difficult to get from other foods. Without magnesium, you get cramps easily and suffer all sorts of other serious problems, since magnesium is needed to make many enzymes in the body.
5. Eat as many GREEN vegetables as you can.
Here is what they have that all that processed and junk food will never give you enough of:
Folic acid: which is hard to get enough of - Leafy green veggies such as spinach and kale. Vitamin C: citrus fruits, peppers and strawberries.
Magnesium: broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage.
Nutrient and fiber rich foods are more important than anything else.
6. The latest information on alcohol: A study in the October 2008 issue of the Archives of Neurology notes that alcohol causes shrinkage of the brain. The more you drink, the more your brain shrinks. It's best to drink alcoholic beverages with your meal and choose organic red wines and unprocessed darker beers that contain higher phenolic levels. Experts generally advise against more than one alcoholic beverage a day for women and two for men.
So there is is. Stay tuned. I will be blogging more on this soon.
Elyn
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