Food for thought

Food for thought

Nutrition To Increasing Learning

Resume of article written by Donna M. Therrien(1)

 

Consuming baked or broiled fish promotes stronger neurons in the brain's gray matter by making them larger and healthier. At the University of California’s Neuro-Life Lab in Los Angeles, studies are being conducted by Dr. Fernando Gómez-Pinilla, Ph.D.

Amongst others that believe that appropriate changes to a person’s diet can enhance their cognitive abilities, protect the brain and counteract the effects of ageing,  Dr Gómez-Pinilla has been studying the effects of food on the brain for years, and has analyzed more than 160 studies on the effect of food on the brain.
Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals.  Antioxidants such as berries are now commonly known to protect against the effects of aging.

Polyphenols have been shown to reduce oxidative damage and boost the ability to learn and retain memories.  In particular, these chemicals affect changes in response to different types of stimulation in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that is associated with the formation of long-term memories.

Curcumin, found in turmeric is a polyphenol antioxidant that has been shown to have protective effects, reducing memory deficits in animals with brain damage. Antioxidants also protect synaptic membranes which -- according to Dr Gómez-Pinilla--- are the most fragile parts of the brain.

An omega-3 fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) provides the ability to transport signals at synaptic regions.  It also provides neuroplasticity,  the ability to change.  Such changes are the basis of memory and learning.  Since 30% of nerve-cell membranes are DHA molecules, keeping your DHA levels up is part of having a healthy brain.

Studies shown the benefit of omega-3s include improved learning and memory, ADD and dyslexia.  Omega-3s are found in oily fish such as salmon, as well as in walnuts, flax and kiwi fruit.

1.Resume of article written by Donna M. Therrien
http://www.neinspired.com/food_for_thought.html http://www.naturalnews.com/034276_fish_consumption_Alzheimers_disease.html#ixzz1lWdXqUsK

http://www.ibp.ucla.edu/research/gomezpinilla/TheNeuroLifeLab/Welcome.html: http://www.neinspired.com/food_for_thought.html

" Cyrus Raji, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Pittsburgh Medical C