Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesbiz  Eating the things that a vegan eats, a meat eater will get the exact same nutrients and fiber that your body needs. |
This is a little off-topic but I'll reply anyway.... meat-eaters do not get the same nutrients as a vegan. They also get only a small fraction to almost no fiber at all. A high meat diet means fruits and veggies are ignored.
You're also adding in things the vegan doesn't get: the saturated fats, cholesterol, higher levels of contaminants, drug residues, hormones/steroids, etc. Your body's working harder to deal with all the toxic sludge in it. Ever feel sluggish after overeating tons of "comfort" foods?
Back to the original topic: vegan diets and IQ. I'm going to say there isn't enough research yet. Logically I might think a healthier overall body would make for a healthier central nervous system, but I can't prove it.
The nervous system needs oxygen and glucose to run on, plus proper electrolytes to allow neurons to fire. Also, unlike muscle cells, neurons can't run on free fatty acids when blood glucose goes dangerously low (which is why diabetics get brainfog or pass out when blood sugar is too low). It takes effort for the body to convert fats & proteins into glucose, so one of those high-meat/no-carb diets probably isn't so great for brain function. A crappy diet of any kind would definitely be bad; if important vitamins/minerals are lacking, the whole body will be less efficient.
The bigger picture is overall health: treating heath problems, being active & exercising regularly, not starving yourself, not abusing recreational drugs. Avoid head concussions, which may sound obvious, but if you play a lot of football or do boxing, you do risk some damage.
If you want to boost IQ outside of diet, a proven way is to simply use the brain. The more you get the brain working, the more new connections are formed and existing ones strengthened. Take a college class, start reading more books, do brain teasers, or any other sort of brain 'exercise'. I'd worry more about people who lay around on the couch watching tv; it's true in a way that kind of living does rot the brain.