BEST BRAIN FOOD

Scientists are agreeing with Mom when she told her children, “Eat your salmon loaf, it is brain food.”  Another group of edibles assist the brain in sharpening mental alertness to help sustain a steady supply of blood to the body’s central command centre.

   “A recent study found berries are rich in plant chemicals called polyphenols that increase the clearance of toxic proteins in the brain,” says Leslie Beck, a registered dietician.   In Alzheimer’s disease – AD – brain cells become clogged with these protein toxins and Beck discovered that “evidence shows a berry-rich diet activates the brain’s natural housekeeping process, helping it remove toxins and other compounds that interfere with brain function.”  Leslie Beck’s Longevity Diet (Penguin, Canada.) author and dietician, (The Enlightened Eater’s Whole Foods Guide (Viking Canada 2003,) notes that other research suggests blueberries, in particular, benefit the brain in the role of neurons (nerve cells) as the brain communicates and increases the birth of new brain cells including navigational and motor skills.

   Curcumin, a spice used in curries shows that Alzheimer’s disease in curry eating populations have a lower than average incidence of AD.  Curries often include ginger and garlic so usually less salt is eaten and that helps lower the blood pressure, which in turn prevents stroke and dementia.  It calms the brain and encourages certain white blood cells to gobble up the proteins that gum up brain function.

   We’ve spoken before about fatty fish like salmon, herring, mackerel trout and sardines.  They are all rich in omega-3 fatty acids.  “A four year study of older adults found that those who ate fish at least once a week, is also the only one that makes its way to your brain,” Beck notes.  Lentils are rich in folate, vitamin B 12 helps keep down blood levels of homocysteine linked to an elevated risk of AD,” Beck says.

   “Multiple studies have shown that a small serving of nuts can curb LDL (the bad cholesterol) and decrease the risk of diabetes, another known risk factor for Alzheimer’s, dementia and stroke.  Beck adds, “Walnuts are the only nut that is a great source of ALA, an omega fatty acid that has anti-inflammatory properties, and like blueberries foster the growth of new brain cells, and spur the brain’s natural clean-up crew into action.  All the green vegetables and whole grains play an important role as well.