CERVEAU ET ALIMENTATION

Quand Alimentation Influe Sur Le Fonctionnement Du Cerveau

Une étude américaine démontre qu'un régime riche en sucre de synthèse ralentit le fonctionnement cérébral et altère la mémoire au long terme.  « Ce que l'on mange affecte la pensée » ,  souligne le Dr. Fernando Gomez-Pinilla, Professeur de neurochirurgie à la faculté de médecine de l'Université de Californie à Los Angeles et principal auteur de ces recherches.

Selon cette étude publiée le 15 mai 2012 dans la revue britannique « Journal of Physiology »,   une consommation excessive de sucre de synthèse  --  sucre utilisé dans la fabrication de sodas et d'aliments industriels  -- affaiblit les fonctions du cerveau.

« Il ne s'agit pas ici du fructose naturel se trouvant dans les fruits, qui sont riches en antioxydants», souligne Dr Gomez-Pinilla ».

Référence  & Liens utiles :



Cette recherche effectuée sur des rats illustre parfaitement le dicton selon lequel ce que l'on mange affecte la pensée.  Des recherches précédentes avaient révélé comment ces sucres, tels que le fructose largement présent dans le sirop de maïs, peuvent être dévastateurs pour l'organisme et contribuent au diabète adulte,  à l'obésité ou à l'accumulation de graisses dans le foie.  

Mais cette dernière étude est la première à révéler l'action néfaste de ces édulcorants sur le cerveau.  Selon les chercheurs de cette étude, avoir un régime alimentaire riche en fructose peut à long terme altérer les  capacités à apprendre et à mémoriser, mais la consommation régulière d'acides gras omega-3, dont sont riches certains poissons ou par exemple les graines de lin, peut aider à minimiser les dommages provoqués par ce genre de sucres.

Référence & Liens utiles :

“The journal of physiology  jp”


https://www.ibp.ucla.edu/research/GomezPinilla/TheNeuroLifeLab/Welcome.html UCLA NeuroLife Lab https://www.ibp.ucla.edu/research/GomezPinilla/TheNeuroLifeLab/Welcome.html





Oxygen, water, laughter influence the brain capacity of learning
in his very interesting book “How the brain learns”, David A Sousa, discusses that brain cells consume oxygen and glucose for fuel.
Low amounts of oxygen and glucose in the blood can produce lethargy and sleepiness.  The more challenging the brain’s task, the more fuel it consumes. Therefore, it is important to have adequate amounts of these substances in the brain for optimum functioning.  Eating a moderate portion of food containing glucose ( fruits are an excellent source) can boost the performance and accuracy of working memory and attention.
Water is also essential for healthy brain activity.   It is required to move neuron signals through the brain.  Water keeps the lungs sufficiently moist to allow the efficient transfer of oxygen into the bloodstream.

Drink plenty of water: 8 ounce glass of water a day for every 25 pounds of body weight.

Humor is also important.   The normal human brain loves to laugh.   Humor provides physiological benefit.  When we laugh, we get more oxygen into the bloodstream.  Laughter causes the release of endorphins in the blood.  Endorphins are the body natural painkillers;   the person enjoys the moment in body as in mind.  Scientists have found that humor decreases stress blood pressure, boosts immune system.  It also stimulates the brain frontal lobes.   Emotions enhance retention and increase the degree of focus and the amount of attention time.

 1. “How the Brain Learns”  David A. Sousa,  Corwin Press, 2011



 

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


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

 


 


 

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