Brain Food: Are You Deficient?

Many people have written to ask me what foods they can eat for brain health.   Hey, we eat for heart health, bone and joint health — the brain is an organ, too!   And the main focus for brain health is serotonin.   Who’s getting enough, who’s getting too little and who’s getting too much…..

Serotonin is similar to catecholamines.   It is made from the amino acid, tryptophan.  Serotonin is converted to melatonin in the pineal gland.   Tryptophan, derived from food or whole food supplements, is transported to the brain to make the neurotransmitter serotonin.   At the appropriate place inside a brain cell, two enzymes and vitamin B6 transform tryptophan to serotonin.   Serotonin is then transferred to the sending end of the neuron, where it is used as a molecular messenger to carry information across the synapse to the receiving neuron.

Serotonin production is sensitive to the supply of tryptophan in the diet.   Serotonin circuits arise from the brain stem arousal complex and reach into all areas of the brain.   Excessive serotonin circuit activity tends to activate abnormal behaviors.   Too little serotonin is associated with sleep disturbances, loss of appetite and depression.

Serotonin itself isn’t in food.   It’s a neurotransmitter released into the synapse and bloodstream.   However, certain foods cause serotonin to be released almost instantly, like candy, cereal and pasta.   Anything with plenty of carbohydrates will increase serotonin levels.   However, the effects won’t last long, maybe only 2-3 hours, and then you have what is called a “crash”, feeling tired and without energy.

Food sources that help with serotonin production are foods high in B-vitamins (brown rice, chicken, corn, eggs, green leafs, legumes, meat, nuts, peas, sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast),  Calcium (almonds, brewer’s yeast, green leafs and cruciferous vegetables, fish with bones, sesame seeds, tofu),  Magnesium  (green leafs, brown rice, sesame seeds, shrimp, salmon)  and  Tryptophan (turkey, soy foods, peanuts, almonds).

Essential fatty acids necessary for serotonin production are the omega 3′s  (fish oils found in mackerel, salmon, sardine, tuna, walnut oil)  and 6′s  (canola oil, chicken, eggs, grape seed oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, turkey, wheat germ oil)  as well as Gamma-Linolenic Acid  (black current oil, bluegreen algae).

But there is a problem with most people’s diets also.   We simply do not eat enough of the foods DAILY that feed our brain.   To get constant, even and reliable levels of serotonin activity most people need to supplement.   But along with our foods, we are ingesting toxins and environmental pollutants.   Another problem in our society today is the constant exposure to toxins which build up in our cells, tissues and eventually, the brain.   Aluminum build-up in the brain blocks neurotransmitter activity.   Long term stress also causes a depletion of serotonin levels.

Short term stress actually increases serotonin, but after time you get burn-out and then it becomes increasingly difficult for the body to produce serotonin.   So reduce stress — this can be as simple as adding exercise and meditation to the daily routine or as life changing as choosing to leave a really stressful job.

Avoid stimulants because they deplete serotonin over time — this works the same as stress does.  We’re talking things like caffeine, refined carbohydrates, chocolate, sugar as well as the heavier stimulants like cold remedies, alcohol, street drugs, diet pills and tobacco.

THE ANSWER TO TOXIN RETENTION:

The increasing presence of toxic chemicals in our environment increases the risk of life-threatening illnesses — we all know one of which is cancer.   GNLD NeoLife Betagard offers nutritional antioxidant protection.   Its synergistic blend of antioxidant and detoxifying nutrients helps the body neutralize and metabolize toxic materials.

GNLD NeoLife Betagard detoxifies by removing the mercury, lead, and other toxic materials from deep within the body cells. We are constantly exposed to chemicals from pesticide sprays, fillings, vaccines, deodorants and the aluminum residue from soda pop, beer cans, toothpaste tubes and cookware, among other things which could be endangering your health right now!   We live on a toxic planet with over 75,000 new chemicals introduced in the last 60 years.   Less than 7% of these have been tested for their effect on us.   A recent study showed 27 toxins in 100% of people tested.   Aluminum residue buildup on the brain causes alzheimers disease! Many other problems are caused by toxins like lack of energy and Fibromyalgia.   Increase nutritional support with GNLD NeoLife Betagard!

NOTE: Do not take Betagard if you are on prescription drugs since it will remove all the chemicals.   Wait for ten days after you complete your prescription before taking Betagard.

Betagard is Certified Kosher:  View Kosher Certificate HERE

HERBS FOR THE BRAIN:

GNLD NeoLife Mind Enhancement Herbal Complex promotes a “normalizing effect” on the nervous system, helping to stabilize and enhance mental function to promote peak mental performance and acuity.

As with any other physical aspect of the body, mental functioning tends to weaken when faced with various forms of stress and everything from simple fatigue to degeneration linked to aging.

GNLD NeoLife Mind Enhancement Complex is a unique blend of herbal nutrients which combines Eastern and Western knowledge to optimally support mind and body.   This exclusive multi-herb formula combines complementary benefits of 7 herbs to promote peak mental performance and acuity.

PROTECT YOUR BRAIN FROM STRESS:

GNLD NeoLife Stress 30 Daily Vitality Pack is a complete nutritional program scientifically formulated to meet the needs of a stressful lifestyle by providing an abundance of balanced, high-potency nutrients that are in high demand during periods of stress.   Stress 30 also has lecithin to support brain functions, such as learning and memory, and nerve transmission.

BUILD HEALTHY BRAIN CELLS WITH PROTEIN:

Amino acids make up the proteins that build and maintain tissues, such as skin, muscle, nerves, and organs, such as the brain. They are also precursors of “messenger” substances  (hormones, neurotransmitters) required for normal brain function.   Moreover, the body can use amino acids to produce energy.  Think of amino acids as “beads” which the body can rearrange to make many different types of protein “necklaces” — insulin, hemoglobin, actin, myosin, antibodies, peptides, enzymes, etc.

The amino acids arginine and ornithine are precursors of human growth hormone, which aids fat burning and lean muscle development.   Likewise, tyrosine is necessary to produce epinephrine and norepinephrine, hormones which ready the body to meet physical and mental challenges (the so-called “fight or flight response”).   Tyrosine is also a precursor of dopamine, an important brain neurotransmitter.   Similarly, tryptophan is required for the production of serotonin, the substance necessary for normal brain and nerve function.

(See also Carotenoid Complex,  Vitamin B Complex,  Chelated Cal-Mag with Vitamin D³,  Salmon Oil Plus and  Formula IV.)

The information on these pages is not designed to diagnose, prescribe, cure or treat but rather lists GNLD products that support the needs of certain situations.
LINK: Read about GNLD’s products here.
The opinions on these pages are not the opinions of the author, but rather the author cites the results of clinical studies and the views of world-recognized scientists, biochemists, doctors, toxicologists and board certified nutritionists who do not have any political or monetary interests in the studies being performed.

Tagged with: amino acids • betagard • brain food • brain health • carotenoid • chelated calcium • GNLD Formula IV • GNLD products • mind enhancement • Neolife greenies • NeoLife products • Salmon Oil • serotonin • tryptophan

Filed under: Frequent Product Questions • GNLD Product Knowledge • Nutritional Information

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