New Year Tips for a Healthy Brain

New Year Tips for a Healthy Brain
 
 
Want to think more clearly in 2024?  Do you hope to have better focus and memory as well as keeping the brain function level that you currently have?  You might consider supplementing your diet with natural medicines that can enhance your brain function.
 
Vitamin B Complex:  If you need another reason to take a vitamin B complex, consider this: B vitamins are critical for your brain and your mood.  B vitamins such as B6, B12, and folic acid are commonly depleted by medications, stress, and a poor diet.  These same nutrients are critical for the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and GABA.  These are the neurochemicals that affect mood, sleep, calmness, and other brain activity.  I recommend utilizing the activated forms of these nutrients, such as 5-MTHF (5-methyltetrahydrafolate), methylcobalamin, and P5P (pyridoxal-5-phosphate).  You should be able to find these in a high-quality vitamin B complex.
 
Fish Oil (EPA/DHA):  Omega-3 fatty acids are critical for brain health.  DHA is the most abundant fat found in brain cells and it plays a role in cellular electrical communication.  DHA then, is not only critical for infants when their brains are developing but also important for all of us to help maintain focus and memory.  EPA is an important anti-inflammatory fatty acid.  Inflammation is linked to numerous disease states including dementia.  
 
Zinc: Did you realize that zinc helps maintain serotonin and melatonin production in the brain?  This mineral is a cheap and easy way to support mood, sleep cycles, and a healthy stress response.  Zinc is good for the brain as well as the immune system.  A good dose is typically between 15mg and 40mg per day if a highly absorbed chelate is used such as zinc citrate.  You can cause a few issues with too much zinc so be sure to watch your dose or ask a professional for guidance.
 
Phosphatidylserine:  This nutrient is another key building block for brain health.  It helps provide cell membranes with their fluidity, flexibility, and permeability.  It is a nutrient needed for proper electrical activity of the brain.  It also stimulates the release of various neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and dopamine.  When folks are deficient in this nutrient, they can experience things such as depression, loss of memory, and cognitive decline.
 
Lion’s Mane Mushroom: Lion’s mane contains 2 compounds that can stimulate the growth of brain cells.  Lion’s mane has been shown to reduce symptoms of memory loss and prevent neuronal damage.  More and more research data is coming in on the beneficial effects of this mushroom. 
 
I hope this primer on nutrients for brain health is beneficial to you and that you have a healthy 2024!