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