Food for Thought
For most of our lives, many of us have been taught that it’s important to eat healthy in order to physically look and feel our best. We are told that eating our fruits and vegetables will help us grow big and strong, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid feeling under the weather. While this is all true, there is another important benefit to good nutrition that is often overlooked – improved brain health.
Taking Care of your Body’s Command Center
Your brain runs it all–thought processes, memory, emotions, movement. It’s a complex organ with 100 billion neurons and is often touted as the most complex object in the known universe. Keeping this important organ healthy is key for your ability to think, act and live well. From the minute it is formed, the brain starts to control your bodily functions and helps you make sense of–and interact with–the world around you, and it keeps grinding throughout your life. When your brain is healthy, your mind can remain clear and active so you can continue to take part in all of your day-to-day activities.
How to Keep Your Brain Healthy
There are many different parts of your lifestyle that factor into your brain health. Physical exercise can help improve blood flow and stimulate chemical changes that enhance your mood as well as your ability to learn and think. Sleep and relaxing self-care activities like meditation help to manage stress and can help keep your brain health from declining as you age while also giving your energy and mood a boost. Furthermore, engaging your brain in mental exercises like learning a new skill, playing word games, or doing puzzles also helps to improve brain function and promotes the growth of new brain cells.
And finally, there is nutrition. After all, you are what you eat, right?
Just like any other part of your body, your brain relies on a variety of nutrients in order to function. Here are a few of the best nutrients for brain health.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Your brain is approximately 60% fat, which makes fatty acids important nutrients when it comes to brain health, and in this case, omega-3 fatty acids are often considered the most important. Omega-3s help with a variety of brain functions. For starters, they are known to facilitate the health of cell membranes, which are responsible for protecting your cells by keeping harmful substances out. By keeping your cells healthy, omega-3 fatty acids support brain growth and decelerate the effects aging has on the brain. Additionally, omega-3s support brain health by assisting with the functions of neurotransmitters, supporting proper blood flow to and from the brain, and aiding in cognitive functions, especially short, and long-term memory.
Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fatty fish like salmon and tuna, nuts and seeds like flaxseed and chia seed, and plant oils like soybean oil and canola oil.
Vitamin B12
Just like the rest of your body, your brain needs a variety of vitamins in order to function. However, vitamin B12 may be the most important when it comes to brain health. After all, it plays a large role in things like making DNA, forming red blood cells, and maintaining the health of nerve cells. But that’s not all. B12 can also affect your mood as it is involved in the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. With so many jobs to do, it’s no wonder that vitamin B12 has been found to improve cognitive function as well as give your energy and mood a boost.
Some common sources of vitamin B12 are beef, trout, salmon, sardines, and eggs.
Vitamin K
Most commonly known for its role in blood coagulation, vitamin K has recently been studied for its positive effects on the brain. Many of these effects come from the role vitamin K plays in the synthesis of sphingolipids, which are a specific type of lipid (fat) that partake in cell activities like division and aging. According to recent studies, changes in the metabolism of sphingolipids can be linked to cognitive decline. To put this all more simply, consuming adequate amounts of vitamin K is helpful when it comes to maintaining or improving cognitive functions like learning and memory.
Vitamin K is found in many vegetables such as kale, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Additionally, many types of fish and meat also contain vitamin K.
Antioxidants
Every cell in your body, including your brain cells, is susceptible to damage caused by invading toxins known as free radicals. If left unchecked, these toxins can wreak havoc on your brain cells which can lead to accelerated brain aging and cognitive decline. Thankfully, compounds known as antioxidants are armed and ready to come to the rescue. These mighty compounds are prepared to combat free radicals and protect your cells from their damaging effects. Consuming a variety of antioxidants such as chlorophyll, phycocyanin, vitamin C, and vitamin E helps ensure that your body’s army of antioxidants is large and ready to go.
Foods like broccoli, carrots, potatoes, spinach, avocados, and sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants. Additionally, there are a number of spices that contain antioxidants, including cinnamon, oregano, turmeric, and ginger.
Zinc
Zinc is one of the many trace minerals that your body needs, and it is particularly beneficial for your brain. First of all, zinc functions as an antioxidant to protect your brain cells from free radicals. What’s more, this mineral also plays a role in the release of neurotransmitters that impact memory, learning, and mood. When you consume enough zinc, your brain is better equipped to perform daily tasks, stay concentrated, and keep you feeling your best.
Some of the best food sources of zinc include red meats like beef and pork, shellfish like oysters and crab, and nuts like cashews and almonds.
Phenylethylamine
Phenylethylamine, is a hormone-like chemical composed of the essential amino acid phenylalanine. It functions as both a neuromodulator and a neurotransmitter. PEA boosts the production of dopamine, norepinephrine, and their transmitters. The increase in dopamine production in particular means that PEA can have a positive impact on attention, focus, goal-directed behavior, and mood.
Dairy products, meat, seafood, and beans are all known to contain PEA. Also, chocolate has been found to be rich in PEA as well!
Organic Wild Microalgae®: The Superfood for Brain Health
With so many nutrients being vital to your brain health, it can be difficult to ensure you are getting them all through your normal diet. Wouldn’t it just be easier if you could get them all through a single ingredient? Well, you can with organic Wild Microalgae!
What is organic Wild Microalgae? It’s a rare form of blue-green algae that is known for its impressive nutritional profile. This near-perfect superfood contains amino acids, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and more. More specifically, organic Wild Microalgae contains omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B12, K, and E, over 60 trace minerals (including zinc), chlorophyll, phycocyanin, and Phenylethylamine (PEA). With all of these nutrients in a single ingredient, organic Wild Microalgae is truly the perfect brain food!
Keep Your Brain Healthy With Mind
Your brain is the most important organ in your body, and the best way you can take care of it is by providing it with all the nutrients it needs to function. That’s where Mind comes in.
Mind is our exclusive single-ingredient supplement designed specifically to nourish and support your brain. What is that single ingredient? Organic Wild Microalgae, of course! What makes this supplement even more powerful is that it contains algae that has had the cell wall removed to give your brain easier access to all those important nutrients. Plus, since it’s made with a single ingredient, it is also certified organic, Kosher, Halal, and Vegan, so it fits perfectly with any diet or lifestyle.
What’s more? You can put it to the test risk-free with our 90-day money-back guarantee.
At New Earth we are on a mission to positively impact the health of every body and soul we come in contact with. We specialize in producing third-party certified, organic whole food supplements including a variety of probiotics, and digestive support. Our supplements feature a rare, yet highly nutritious superfood, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA). Also known as organic Wild Microalgae®, AFA is a unique type of microalgae that is available in many forms including tablets, capsules, and powders all designed to help you on your journey to holistic wellness. The best part? We offer a 90-day money-back risk-free guarantee on all of our products. Visit our website to learn more.
