Certain foods are considered good for the brain. These brain-healthy foods may help in preventing alzheimers disease by reducing inflammation and oxidation.
1. Vegetables such as green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower and colorful vegetables such as eggplant should be made a regular part of the diet. A study of over 13,000 nurses showed that women who ate more cruciferous and leafy vegetables in their 60's had a lower rate of mental decline based on learning and memory tests
2. Anti-oxidant foods prevent oxidative damage to cells. Animal studies have shown that after 3 years of being on a diet of anti-oxidant foods, they were able to perform cognitive tasks that they could not before. Anti-oxidant foods include blueberries, prunes, raisins, cherries, plums, oranges. Vegetables like green leafy vegetables, beets, red bell peppers, brussel sprouts are also high in anti-oxidants.
3. Foods that contain omega 3 fatty acids such as fish oils, olive oil, nuts and whole grains are also considered excellent brain food. These help to counteract free radicals and improve neural transmission.
4. Folate and other B vitamins are being studied for their role in homocysteine - a protein that is said to be a cause of alzheimer's disease.
5. Green tea, white tea and oolong teas are also said to be rich in anti-oxidants. As is dark chocolate.
6. Add herbs such as turmeric in your diet. Multi-vitamin supplements and herbal supplement
s may also help in improving brain functions. Mentat a herbal supplement contains over 40 herbs and minerals and has been shown very useful in early alzheimer's disease.
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