Raw foods and intelligence: measuring.

[emp]

Hello Everyone,

After lurking for a long time, I finally have something to ask.

I will be starting a 30 day Raw Foods trial soon. I want to measure the perceived level of improved mental clarity that many report on a raw food diet.. I've taken a number of online IQ tests, which I will redo at the end of 30 days and check for improvement.

Does anyone have any other hints of how I could measure my improvement? Perhaps something with a timer to test improvements in mental agility. Also memory tests.

The above is the crux of my posting. The rest below is for anyone who wants more info as to why I am doing this trial.

A good while ago I ate raw for about 3 or 4 months. I went back to my old diet in order to test if the improvements I felt were in my imagination or not.
Things I noticed while on a Raw Food diet, and which I confirmed by switching back:
-A 'brain boost'. Smarter, calmer, more focused, 'playful' mind (hard to describe). Reduced emotions when thinking of doing things I don't want to do, and hence less procrastination.
-Slimy stuff: after exercise, I noticed in the shower that my sweat was water like, not slimy like a fish
-Clear throat and nose - likely related to the above. Raw foods are supposed to purge the excess mucous in our bodies.
-Energy levels - I am generally fit and can run 5km on a whim. On raw foods, it was effortless. The feeling was much like riding a bike, gliding about. I would 'accidentally' run 10km just because it felt so good.
-Joints - my joints were never complaining, both after running, and also in my hands (at the computer since I was 10 years old).
-Sleep - I simply didn't need much. Cooked, I sleep 7 1/2 to 8 hours a night, and don't generally jump out of bed. Raw, I was happy on far less, and couldn't wait to be up.

Note that this is also a quest to regain some health. I've had some ambiguous illness where I am tired most of the time. Earlier on, I required 12 hours of sleep, generally couldn't focus on anything for more than 10 minutes. If I managed 2 hours of work in a day, that was a successful day. Time and reality distortion - I think on 2 really conscious hours a day, 2 weeks is really only about 2 days of my normal conscious 14 hours a day. Much time disappeared, and with that unfortunately I let down people depending on me - this is one of the worst parts of all of this.
After much improvement, which varies day to day, I feel I am about 65-85% back to normal. I miss my 100%

Ok, that's it. This is part of a number of trials for the month that seem complementary.
I will track my progress in detail and update this thread every week on my progress for anyone who is interested.

-Ed

[Calculusaurus]

Originally Posted by emp

Does anyone have any other hints of how I could measure my improvement? Perhaps something with a timer to test improvements in mental agility. Also memory tests.

Brain Games & Brain Training - Lumosity

[emp]

Thank you - I found many other sites in the same vein, the puzzles should make for a good baseline.

[Dan.Linehan]

Originally Posted by emp

Note that this is also a quest to regain some health. I've had some ambiguous illness where I am tired most of the time. Earlier on, I required 12 hours of sleep, generally couldn't focus on anything for more than 10 minutes. If I managed 2 hours of work in a day, that was a successful day. Time and reality distortion - I think on 2 really conscious hours a day, 2 weeks is really only about 2 days of my normal conscious 14 hours a day. Much time disappeared, and with that unfortunately I let down people depending on me - this is one of the worst parts of all of this.
After much improvement, which varies day to day, I feel I am about 65-85% back to normal. I miss my 100%

Might want to get checked for Lyme disease.

[emp]

Thank you for the link - thankfully things are different to what I have read about Lyme disease. I feel lucky compared to them. Also it would mean that I found a tick in the middle of a city in the middle of winter
I'll just keep doing what I am doing, as things are steadily improving. I've not had much luck with doctors when it comes to anything that is a little vague.