> Greetings Brain Explorers!
>
> Make sure you give your brain good FUEL to keep working well- in
> general, what is good for your body is doubly good for your brain.
>
> Researchers, however, do like to pinpoint specific brain function
> enhancing foods-- so here's a little bit of information to keep "in
> mind"....
>
> Anti-oxidants are those chemicals food in foods that keep cells from
> "rusting" early--- get it? ANTI-OXIDANTS-- when iron rusts, it becomes
> oxidized-- so this same KIND of thing can happen to cells and cause
> them to age prematurely. Same kind of idea, and anti-oxidants can be
> VISUALIZED as something like putting oil on a steel part to keep it
> from rusting.
>
> Of course, blueberries and other berries to a lesser degree are the
> most delightful way to get lots of anti-oxidants in the brain's
> bloodstream. I often have a dish for my late night snack. Safeway
> sells a pound of organic frozen blueberries at really inexpensive
> prices, and these are more packed in nutrients than fresh ones.
> Blueberries prevent strokes as well, and reduce inflammation.
>
> Grape-seed extract is a potent source of anti-oxidants and researchers
> from U. of Alabama found that this protected rat's brains from
> dementia. We can extrapolate that a similar thing would happen in the
> brains of people as well. Not as tasty as blueberries however. Grape
> seed oil, however, can be found near olive oil in many markets.
>
> Vitamin E in moderate doses has a similar effect as Grape seed extract.
>
> In India, 1% of the population over 65 is stricken with Alzheimer's--
> in the US its TEN PERCENT. Why? Daily low doses of curcumin (found in
> curry) slashes deposits of brain plaque. Curcumin is also an
> anti-inflammatory like NSAID pain relievers (ibuprofen) but much safer.
> OKAY-- start cooking a little spicy brain people!
>
> Folic acid, found in supplements and leafy green vegetables, citrus
> fruits, and dried beans will also help keep your memory sharp. Tufts
> University research showed that people with the highest blood levels
> of folic acid have little or no memory loss after middle age. This
> ingredient also seems to help prevent Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
>
> On this newsletter I've previously mentioned Omega-3 fatty acids. This
> is an extremely helpful ingredient in fighting and reversing
> depression, and studies found that adding just 2000 mg. of EPA fish
> oils halved depression scores in three weeks. There are many other
> benefits to proper omega-3 levels in the brain and body.
> >>>The main fatty acids EPA and DHA are found in fish oil- but as a
> vegetarian, I stick to flax seed oil- which IS fine.
>