Brain Food

The brain is a living organ and is affected by what we eat in the short-term and in the long-term. To simplify, you could say a healthy body equals a healthy brain.

To start the day, eat a balanced breakfast. When waking up from sleeping the body and brain have been in a fast state. If the last meal you ate was finished by 7 p.m. and if you wake up at 7 a.m., it was a 12-hour fast. It helps the brain function to have a balanced breakfast after that 12 hours. Balanced means not too high in calories, not too high in sugar, and has some protein, some fiber, and some fat (such as eggs, whole wheat toast with butter, and orange juice). That kind of breakfast will keep you alert until lunch.

A good way to prevent Alzheimer's is eat fish two to three times a week. Some fish that contain omega-3s are mackerel, salmon, and sardines.

A study in Switzerland discovered that people in their 60s who had the highest blood levels of vitamin C and beta-carotene scored higher on memory tests than those with low levels. In almost all cases the people in the study got the vitamin C and beta-carotene from food, not supplements. Foods with beta-carotene are yellow, orange, and dark green vegetables and foods with vitamin C are citrus fruits, berries, and fresh peppers. Blueberries are in a class by themselves for the benefits they provide to the brain and other parts of the body.

Asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, lentils, kidney beans, and pinto beans are just a few foods that will supply you with folic acid, another nutrient necessary for proper brain function.