Brain Food

[Hanselich]

I would like to start a topic about foods, known as brain food. I still think we are always forgetting our brains when we eat, so feeding the brain properly could be quite a challenging task.

So far I found out that nuts, bananas and sushi should help your brain perform better. Anyone knows more?

[LVGeneration]

Magnesium is good for the brain, you can find it in very dark chocolate, kale, raw pumpkin seeds, salmon, etc. Human magnesium deficiency is relatively common, with only 32% of the United States meeting the recommended levels.

[Hanselich]

Well, I just wrote an article about certain brain foods. I did quite a research yesterday and I think, that's it about foods that raise mental capabilities.

Article - Be Smarter with the Help of Brain Food

[Dimond]

Brain Function:
Exercise
Oxygen
Brain Foods, Herbs & Supplements:
High doses of Omega-3s
High doses of Magnesium-the form varies for each person
St. John's Wort
Sam-E
Phenylethylamine (such as E3Live BrainOn)
Maca
Cacao
Quality green food powder such as Vitamineral Green
Ginkgo Biloba, Gotu Kola, Ginseng
Phosphotidyl Serine, Acetyl L-Carnitine, Alpha Lipoic Acid
Spinach, Garlic, Kale, blueberries, blackberries, Strawberries, raspberries, prunes, raisins, cranberries
Hemp Seeds, DHA Omega-3, Flaxseeds/Oil, Olive Oil, Walnuts, Brazil nuts, almonds
Avocados, Bananas, Romaine, brewer's yeast, broccoli, brown rice, brussel sprouts, cantaloupe, Collard Greens, legumes, oatmeal, Oranges, peas, potatoes, wheat germ
Choline (B vitamin), Folic acid, Rosemary
Vinpocetine-extract, derived from Periwinkle plant
Huperzine A

[Hanselich]

How about caffeine? Does it have neuloleptic impact only on sympathetic system or does it affect brain also?

[Dimond]

Caffeine is temporary and often has negative effects and withdrawal symptoms. But if it works for you, than use it. Other caffeine-type options: cacao, maca, green tea or powder, kola nut, yerba mate.

[Angela Leeds]

Originally Posted by LVGeneration

Magnesium is good for the brain, you can find it in very dark chocolate, kale, raw pumpkin seeds, salmon, etc. Human magnesium deficiency is relatively common, with only 32% of the United States meeting the recommended levels.

Yes... great suggestion.

[ginkgo]

That article missed green tea. You can even get decaf green tea. It contains 4,000 chemicals. The caffeine works differently depending on what is interacting with it. It has an amino acid not found it other foods. See this: Amino Acid Found Only in Tea

Amino acids are what protein is made of but this one is not in protein or anything except tea. By default tea means the camelia plant. Yerba mate is also good for brain. Coffee slows mental abilities-- studies show it but they do not know why. Best thing to help brain is no food or food vacation-- fasting.

From my site on Fasting: "Gabriel Cousins, M.D., (psychiatrist) says "I often observe in the fasting participants that by four days of fasting, concentration seems to improve, creative thinking expands, depression lifts, insomnia stops, anxieties fade, the mind becomes more tranquil and a natural joy begins to appear. It is my hypothesis that when the physical toxins are cleared from the brain cells, mind-brain function automatically and significantly improves and spiritual capacities expands."

If toxins coming in (from eating food and body creates metabolic toxins [as taught in medical school]) is greater than the ones being cleaned out then they build up over time. That is why the older you get, the greater your chance of weisenheimer's disease. Just kidding-- alzheimer's disease.

[Hanselich]

True, I even think green tea deserves an article on its own.

[Angela Leeds]

Personally, I find green tea too stimulating for some reason, far more than an espresso for example, which generally gives me a "chill" feeling.

People do have different constitutions that work or don't work with these sorts of foods/beverages.

[liamona]

I find that I think clearly if I drink a lot of water. And much more than the eight large glasses a day that are recommended.

[vibrostation]

Chocolate is also good for brain. It’s got brain-boosting compounds, it’s loaded with antioxidants, and it has just the right amount of caffeine. Chocolate sends your serotonin through the roof, so you’ll feel happy in short order. Dark chocolate is also rich in fiber.

[Hanselich]

Agree with chocolate but you have to be careful with amount eaten. Cocoa in chocolate is great also because contains flavonoids specifically epicatechin, which may have beneficial cardiovascular effects on health. From a brain food point of view the increased serotonin level is important for better mood and thus more concentrated state.