Did you know that keeping your brain healthy is as crucial as the health of the rest of your body? Many of us don’t think about brain health until changes like forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating start to occur. While it was once thought that these signs only appear among the aging population, research shows that people start showing slight changes in brain health as early as their forties! Boosting your brain heath is critical, starting right now! A lot of factors can influence age-related changes in the brain. Here are a few critical ones:
Exercise: Living a sedentary lifestyle is harmful to your waistline as well as the brain. Regular exercise not only improves physical health, but it also takes care of your mental well-being. Exercise boosts your mood because it fundamentally changes your brain, both in the moment and over time. It increases blood flow, helps form newer nerve cells, and increases the connection between brain cells. The increased blood flow helps improve memory, mood, and thinking. Studies show that as little as 30 minutes of brisk walking helps elevate mood and reduce depression symptoms. Exercise releases mood-enhancing chemicals like serotonin and dopamine that can stick around in your brain for a couple of hours after you exercise.
Sleep & relaxation: A good night’s sleep is essential to rejuvenate your mind and body. While you’re snoozing, your brain is hard at work so you can function at your very best throughout the next day. A restful night is crucial to remove amyloid toxins, a type of protein that is implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. Not catching enough sleep impacts brain health and leads to anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorders.
Nutrition: A healthy, nutritious menu is the gateway to a sound mind and a fit body. A diet rich in healthy fats from avocados, nuts, wild-caught fish, and unsaturated oils ensures healthy brain function. Studies show that taking plant proteins help reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment. Eating this way keeps you lean, protects your brain, and reduces the risk of many degenerative diseases. Besides, eating nutrition-rich food, you can also amp up your brain power by focusing on specific foods.
I recommend taking these following nutrients once a week to keep your brain functioning at its very best, no matter your age!
Omega-3 fats: These are essential fats and are found in specific algae and the fish that eat these algae. These are the vital fats your brain requires to preserve membrane health and facilitate communication between nerve cells. Omega-3’s are crucial to boosting your brain health – specifically through brain functions like memory, recall, and intelligence quotient. Including omega-3’s at least 2 -3 times a week offers protection to the brain and improves mental health.
Flavonoids: Antioxidants are reputed for protecting every cell in the body. In particular, flavonoids are very effective in fighting oxidative damage to delicate brain cells, nerves, and tissues. They fight inflammation, which is one of the primary reasons for brain damage. Consume a variety of flavonoid-rich fruits and veggies to boost your brain activity.
Choline: Choline is an essential brain nutrient. It is necessary to produce acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that plays a critical role in brain and nervous system function, including memory and mood. Research shows that choline may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and used in its treatment and management.
MCT: Medium Chain Triglycerides, abbreviated MCT are present in coconut oil. MCT converts into ketones, which are a type of brain fuel. MCT’s are absorbed faster than other fats, enter the brain cells quickly, and are readily used as fuel. Studies show that MCT oils effectively manage epilepsy, autism, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Now that you know the importance of these nutrients, you might be wondering if it’s even possible to include all of them. It becomes a challenge, especially when you don’t plan your menu around them, or make an effort to regularly take these nutrients, which is why I’m sharing my new favorite brain and body bar – IQ Bar!
IQ Bars are a delicious and convenient way to include the brain nutrients I mentioned above. Boosting your brain health is pretty simple with these. As a bonus, they include Lion’s Mane and Vitamin E, which are also critical for brain health. Lion’s mane is a type of mushroom that is used in Traditional Chinese medicine to boost brain performance. It’s antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties confer beneficial effects on the brain. The presence of vitamin E a powerful fat-soluble antioxidant, and the critical nutrients mentioned above make IQ Bars a ‘must-have’ snack in your bag!
I was glad to learn that IQ Bars are low-carb, keto-friendly, gluten, soy, and dairy-free and made with high-quality ingredients. I highly recommend you try them out! You can learn more by visiting their eatiqbar.com or by following them on Instagram @EatIQBar.
