Nutrition for Neurons Part 3: Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition for Brain Health
Vitamins and minerals are essential for healthy brain nutrition
It is important to eat the right foods containing the vitamins and minerals for healthy brain nutrition. Lack of B vitamins or insufficient folic acid can result in can result in reduced memory, aggression, violence, lack of self-control, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, depression, OCD, learning disorders, hyperactivity, depression, irritability, confusion, paralysis, increased sensitivity to criticism, fatigue, headache, hallucinations, symptoms of schizophrenia, insomnia, easily upset, Alzheimer’s, nervous system degeneration, or less mental flexibility. B vitamins are found in high enough amounts in meats and organ meats and fresh eggs (NOT in processed egg products). Folic acid is found in good amounts in liver, raw leafy green vegetables and fresh oranges (NOT in processed orange juices or cooked vegetables).
Vitamins E, D, K2, C and A are also necessary for normal brain development, growth and function and healthy brain nutrition. We will get all of these vitamins if our diet contains meats, butter, various raw green leafy vegetables,citrus fruits and fresh eggs.
Many minerals are required by all cells of the body including the brain cells in order to function Magnesium, Calcium, Zinc and Iron are very important for normal brain function.
Also Zinc deficiency can result in picky appetites. Red meats and dark leafy green vegetables have the highest amounts of many minerals and calcium is also high in broccoli and milk products.
Why are whole foods important to optimal brain health?
If a person does not eat the foods that contain the vitamins and minerals that we all need to survive in good health, then nutrition products that contain only WHOLE FOODS DRIED without heat or freezing (which destroy many vitamins and phytonutrients) will have the intact vitamins that our brains cells require. There are thousands of nutrition products on the market, all we have to do is go to a pharmacy or food store and check the shelves! However, the vast majority of these and those of specialty companies on line are products made in laboratories with synthesized PIECES of vitamins and not the entire vitamin complex. When we get a whole vitamin complex from WHOLE food we are getting all the additional phytonutrients which helps the brain cells absorb the vitamin and utilize it correctly. Standard Process is one excellent company which produces such products using cold vacuum drying, not freezing (www.standardprocess.com). Seek a practitioner who carries these products (many chiropractors carry Standard Process products).
Written by:
Martha Lindsay, MS, CNE, Certified Nutrition Response Testing
Natural Life Consulting, LLC 7 Hodges Street, N. Andover, MA 01845 Phone: 339-368-7551
Sources:
Gut and Psychology Syndrome, by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride
Violent Behavior: A Solutions in Plain Sight, by Dr. Sylvia Onusic, Wise Traditions Journal, Spring 2013.
Coconut Ketones: Fueling Brain Function & Reversing Autism, by Dr. Bruce Fife, Well Being Journal, Sept/Oct 2012 , pages 24-28.
Meat, Organs, Bones and Skin: Nutrition for Mental Health, Dr. Chris Masterjohn, Wise Traditions Journal, Spring 2013.
Good point to put focus on whole food. But what about people suffering from stomach cramps due to bad digestion of the many kinds of sugar in milck, frugt, bread and vegtabels?
Introducing fresh fruit and vegetables in your gives you the nutrients you need.
Hello Alan,
Thank you for commenting! I hope you found this blog to be helpful. You’re absolutely right. Fresh fruits and vegetables are absolutely necessary to provide your body and mind with the nutrients they require to function properly. Have a wonderful rest of your day!