| Nutrition affects not only the condition of our | | | | brain function. |
| bodies, but also, and perhaps more importantly, | | | | Proteins are also of significant importance. |
| our minds. The food we eat keeps our bodies in | | | | Enzymes, which allow cells to receive messages, |
| good shape and working efficiently. It provides | | | | and some neuro-meridians, are actually proteins in |
| energy, strengthens our immune system and | | | | different proportions composed of amino acids in |
| improves our minds. Although many people shun | | | | the food. The conclusion is that the brain needs |
| fat and meat, it has been established that they | | | | proteins to stimulate proper activity. Meat, eggs |
| are of great importance to the brain; and this fact | | | | and dairy products supply the required animal |
| must be carefully considered. | | | | proteins to the human body. It has been proven |
| There are still many misconceptions about | | | | that a lack of Vitamin B-9 is the chief contributor |
| nutrition, e.g., vitamins help to lose weight; | | | | to memory loss during the aging process, and |
| enzymes burn fat; weight gain is due to fatty | | | | that the liver supports and strengthens the |
| foods, so diet foods are the solution; obesity is | | | | memory. Vitamin B-9 is contained in whole grains, |
| connected only to food, and so on. Instead of | | | | egg yolks, beans, walnuts and spinach. If we add |
| relying on oversimplified generalizations, it is | | | | Vitamins B-6 and B-12, contained in fish and meat, |
| important to devise a moderate diet from all food | | | | we create a healthy blend that guarantees us |
| groups, including proteins and animal products, | | | | optimum memory strength. The ancient Roman |
| because they remove toxins from the intestines | | | | physician Galen recommended walnuts for |
| and supply the body with natural vitamins and | | | | stimulating brain activity. His suggestion was based |
| minerals. It is good to eat in small amounts, but | | | | on the ancient theory that body organs should be |
| often - perhaps four to five times a day - since | | | | treated with foods that resemble them, and the |
| this way of eating reduces the chance of plaque | | | | walnut, with its convoluted surface, does indeed |
| production in the blood and prevents it from | | | | resemble the folds of the human brain. Although |
| storing it in the internal organs and arteries. It is | | | | that superficial theory is obviously superceded by |
| established that most physical ailments, especially | | | | the biochemistry of metabolism, modern medicine |
| the leading cause of death - the heart attack - | | | | confirms that walnuts stimulate intellectual ability, |
| are caused by improper nutrition. | | | | help prevent tumors and heart disease, and lower |
| One of the first dietitians, William Banting, wrote | | | | bad cholesterol. That's why it is important to |
| as long ago as the mid-19th century, "among all | | | | consume no less than one ounce of walnuts per |
| maladies which concern the human race, I know | | | | day, at least three times a week. Vitamin E, which |
| none nor can I imagine anything worse than | | | | is just one valuable constituent of olives, walnuts |
| obesity." According to Dutch medical specialists, | | | | as well as other foods, protects the biological |
| people who gain a significant amount of weight | | | | membranes from aging. |
| after the age of 35-40, shorten their lives by | | | | Broccoli, peppers, cabbage, lemons, oranges and |
| approximately seven years. Also, "if a 40-year old | | | | other products containing Vitamin C have a direct |
| woman smokes and is overweight, she will live, on | | | | influence on the blood circulation in the brain. And |
| average, 13.3 years less than a non-smoking | | | | in order to prevent the reduction of red blood |
| woman of standard weight." When we speak of | | | | cells, which supply oxygen to the brain, we need |
| proper nutrition, it is imperative that we associate | | | | to include iron-rich foods in our diet. Dr. Jill |
| it with long life. Quality of life in old age is not | | | | Halterman's research at the University of |
| about turning back the clock to maintain an | | | | Rochester demonstrated that students with low |
| artificial extension or replay of youth, but rather, | | | | amounts of iron in their blood scored lower on |
| to increase longevity and make life healthier, | | | | tests. Additional research showed lower IQ scores |
| happier and more fulfilling within the limitations of | | | | among young, vegetarian girls, in contrast with |
| age. It is no coincidence that the Japanese boast | | | | girls of the same age who enjoyed a balanced |
| the best nutrition among their population, and their | | | | diet. |
| average lifespan is 82.5 years for women and | | | | The bread/pasta food group, particularly |
| 76.2 years for men. | | | | whole-grain and multi-grain, is perfect fuel for the |
| Suitable combinations of carbohydrates, proteins | | | | brain, and the lack of rice, lentil and glucose |
| and fat directly affect brain activity, and | | | | causes hypoglycemia and dulls brain function. |
| consequently, influence our intellectual abilities. | | | | Carbohydrates are the best energy source for |
| Carbohydrates feed the brain, proteins slow down | | | | our body, since they digest slowly, are absorbed |
| the carbohydrate absorption rate, and fat aids in | | | | into our system in small amounts, and feed the |
| the production of the hormones that make us | | | | brain longer. |
| happy and also assists in balancing the nutritive | | | | We've all been taught since grade school that |
| chemicals in the blood stream. In addition to the | | | | water is of extreme importance to the human |
| main food categories, trace amounts of specific | | | | body; we may be able to live without food for |
| elements and minerals can have a profound | | | | two to three weeks, but no more than three |
| influence on health. For example, the selenium | | | | days without water. Indeed, water represents 70 |
| contained in dairy products alleviates stress and is | | | | percent of a human's body mass. Every one of |
| a very good defense against aging. Is it possible | | | | us loses around half a gallon of water daily, an |
| to become happier through proper nutrition? Most | | | | amount that needs to be replenished. Some of |
| definitely the answer is "Yes!" The human brain is | | | | the water we receive through the food we eat, |
| composed of and maintained by a certain number | | | | but the majority simply has to be drunk. If this |
| of building blocks, supplied through nutrition. The | | | | does not happen, the result is dehydration and |
| brain requires fat, amino acids and proteins to | | | | cellulite, including aging. Besides pure, |
| sustain its solid structure. When these substances | | | | uncontaminated water, fruit juices and teas are |
| are missing or insufficient, the brain loses | | | | not only useful, but necessary as well. According |
| functional efficiency, which in turn causes | | | | to Russian scientist Vladimir Volkov, "the decrease |
| accelerated aging. | | | | of water in the body blocks the bio-filters and |
| Do not avoid fat altogether for fear it may clog | | | | causes different pathologies and subsequently |
| arteries. On the contrary, certain fats, such as | | | | aging." We cannot disagree with the fact that |
| those found in olive or sunflower oil, cod-liver oil, | | | | rational and proper nutrition will improve our |
| almonds, peanuts and walnuts are valuable and | | | | health, make us more joyful, smarter and |
| essential. It is these fats that structure the nerve | | | | prettier, extend our lifespan, and ultimately, |
| cells in the brain. The limiting of fat should be | | | | stimulate our inner being and help us achieve |
| closely monitored, so that it does not damage | | | | absolute happiness. |