Protect Your Brain Health This Wellness Month
The brain uses about 20% of the energy expenditure of a human body so it’s important to ensure you are getting the right nutrition to power your brain in the most healthy way possible.
What To Eat For Mental Wellbeing
Protect your brain health by focusing on getting ‘brain foods,’ such as healthy fats into your diet on a regular basis.
‘Healthy fats’ are fats which have been minimally processed from whole foods.
These include, but are not limited to:
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Olive oil
- Avocado
- Fatty fish, such as salmon.
Eating these kinds of foods (about a finger sized portion as part of a balanced meal) will ensure that the brain has the nutrients it needs to function at its best.
Having healthy fats as part of a meal makes sure that you are extracting all the nutritional benefits from the vegetables on your plate. This is because healthy fats allow the body to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins; A, D, E and K.
What To Avoid
MQ Mental Health Research have funded research at the University Of Cambridge looking into why people with heart disease are more likely to suffer from depression. The scientists believe they have identified the link to be inflammation.
Inflammation is our body’s natural response to fighting off infection, and it’s essential for survival. However, chronic low-grade inflammation can be triggered by a number of factors, including diet.
With research pointing to inflammation corresponding to mental health, it is recommended we avoid low-grade chronic inflammation from an unhealthy diet.
Any foods that cause an inflammation reaction in the body are also best avoided.
Avoid foods you have an intolerance to, even if they are considered as ‘healthy,’ as common allergies can be nuts, seafoods, gluten, or dairy.
Try swapping out these ingredients for alternatives wherever you can. There are many free-from ranges now available in supermarkets, but remember unprocessed foods are always best.
Food Intolerance Testing
If you are looking for identifying your food intolerances, visit Enigma Healthcare for their Food Intolerance Testing service: Allergy Testing | Enigma (enigmahealthcare.co.uk)
