Article:
A well-nourished body is ready to hustle with you. Often, we overlook our food – it could be because of the lack of time, or energy to cook, the availability of take-away foods, the prevailing food culture of working millennials and Gen Z, or anything else. The body suffers due to lack of required nutrients leading to lethargy, disturbed focus, stress, deteriorating hair and skin, sleep disorders, and others. The basic fact is that the right food keeps you healthy and a healthy body supports you to work optimally.
What Aids Proper Brain Function?
Every inch of your body depends on nutrients for growth, proper functioning, and repair; the brain is no exception. Have you wondered why elders insisted on having nuts for sharper memory? The five most crucial nutrients that the brain needs are lutein, DHA Omega-3, B Vitamins, Vitamin D, and protein.
Lutein is the secret behind super smart and intelligent people. According to the available information, lutein is a special kind of plant pigment responsible for learning and remembering. It makes your memory sharper and enables an individual to use the skills and knowledge that he has gained appropriately. Interestingly, lutein is also present in the eyes which helps the brain to process faster. Thus, it highlights the importance of coordination between the eyes and brain in creating accurate responses and reactions. You must ensure your food has a balanced quantity of spinach, corn, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, avocado, kale, and egg yolks so that your body (brain) gets a good supply of lutein on a regular basis.
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) Omega-3 is a good fat, essential for the brain to control inflammation and establish a smoother signal flow between the brain cells. Apparently, healthy fats comprise 60% of your brain, while omega-3 fatty acids constitute 25% of brain fat. So, you must make a conscious effort to consume food such as tuna, salmon, and sardines for a regular supply of essential omega-3. For vegetarians and vegans, you must include soybeans, flaxseeds, and walnuts.
A group of B vitamins is crucial for brain health, preventing cognitive illnesses, supplying energy to the brain, and disintegrating homocysteine which may later cause Alzheimer’s disease. You must make it a point to consume balanced meals, lots of green leafy vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, fish, and lean meat. However, if you are a vegetarian, you must take vitamin B12 supplements to compensate for the requirement.
Heard that happy individuals are usually the most successful? It’s true and what makes it true is vitamin D. It helps your brain to produce dopamine and serotonin which regulate mood; they are mood-regulating neurotransmitters. It keeps your stress under control, makes you feel happier, and thus multiplies your focusing ability. Foods like salmon, trout, eggs, milk, and fortified cereals are good sources of vitamin D. Include them in your regular meals to ensure your body gets the required amount of it.
For sharper and agile brain functioning you also need a good amount of protein. Besides strengthening your muscles, it also improves the cognitive functioning of the brain. To include them in your everyday meals; have lean meat, seafood, eggs, yogurt, cheese, tofu, milk, beans, and lentils.
Food plays a pivotal role in making one agile, zestful for hard and smart work, efficiency, and professional dynamism. Plan your meals to stay sharp and edgy.