Mental Health Notes

Tasty Foods To Boost Your Brain Health

by Alicia Sparks, NAMI Affiliation Leader on March 13th, 2008

Spring is in the air (or close to it - what’s the official day? March 20?) and while many people like to kick their dieting and exercise programs up a notch or two to shed those extra winter pounds, there are some foods you might not want to want to cut back on when you’re packing your picnic basket.

Fish, flaxseed, leafy greens, nuts, and egg yolks: These foods contain omega-3 fatty acids. Not only are omega-3 fatty acids regarded by many as a natural treatment option for depression and bipolar disorder (check out what Dr. Emanuel Severus tells HealthyPlace.com about omega-3s), but according to Psychology Today they’re also good for helping “brain cell membranes […] refresh themselves with a new supply of fatty acids.”

Tempeh, miso, tofu, and soy milk: What, huh, yuck, and ew? Not everyone’s big on soy products, but they can help regulate your cholesterol levels, which can in turn improve blood flow and help your brain refrain from stroking out.

Corn: That’s right, regular ol’ corn. It’s full of pantothenic acid (also called vitamin B5), which boats a number of brain-related benefits: relieving and managing stress, brain metabolism, and improving communication between the brain and other body systems, to name a few. Sure, you can get vitamin b5 from plenty of foods (eggs, fresh veggies, strawberries, liver - yuck); I just happen to like corn.

Oatmeal, yogurt, bagels, and apples: These high-carbohydrate/low-protein foods help your brain produce more melatonin and serotonin because they increase the essential amino acid tryptophan. (If you’re scratching your heads wondering where you’ve heard that word before, tryptophan often takes the blame for post-Turkey Day naps.) And, when your brain produces more melatonin and serotonin, you sleep better. I’m wondering, though…aren’t oatmeal and bagels normally considered breakfast foods? Should we be eating foods that promote sleep at breakfast? Hmm…

Dark chocolate: Perhaps I’ve saved the best for last. Could flavanols found in dark chocolate improve brain blood flow while preventing - or at least deterring - dementia? According to the researchers who presented “The Neurobiology of Chocolate: A Mind- Altering Experience?” at 2007’s annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), yes. Of course, the research was sponsored by Mars (anyone up for a Milky Way Midnight Dark?), but it doesn’t seem to be a fly-by-night money-making scheme on Mars’ part. They company’s been sponsoring the research for 15 years now.

Have anything to add to the list? Feel free to share!

Johan Larsson is having the super healthy picnic above. Check out his flickr page for more photos.

Share This

POSTED IN: Bipolar Disorder, Cognitive Disorders, Current Affairs & News, Dementia, Depression, Doctors & Scientists, Everyday Stress, Mood Disorders, No Prescription Needed, Resources, Self-help, Sites of Interest, Sleep Disorders, Theme Days, Tips