Brain Food and Behavior
Influence of Food on The Brain’s Behavior
It has been discovered that some foods influence the brain’s behavior, and the brain’s neurotransmitters, which regulate our behavior. What we eat, research shows, can create the chemical seratonin. Poor eating habits can lead to depression, especially when there is constant snacking on junk foods. Many people feel that there is a connection between the serotonin released by a carbohydrate load (sugar, etc.). Could eating carbohydrates, under stress, be aimed at this serotonin release?
When the brain produces serotonin, tension is eased. When it produces dopamine or norepinephrine, we tend to think and act more quickly and are generally more alert. Eating carbohydrates alone seems to have a calming effect, while proteins increase alertness. Complex carbohydrates, which raise the level of tryptophan in the brain, have a calming effect.
Protein promotes the production of dopamine and norepinephrine, which promote alertness. Protein meals containing essential fatty acids and/or carbohydrates are recommended for increased alertness. Salmon and white fish are good choices. Avoid foods high in saturated fats; consumption of pork or fried foods, such as hamburgers and French fries, leads to sluggishness, slow thinking, and fatigue. Fats inhibit the synthesis of neurotransmitters by the brain because they cause the blood cells to become sticky and to clump together, resulting in poor circulation, especially to the brain. Some research shows that eating peanut butter helps you to sleep better.
A balance is achieved when there is a combination of these two nutrients. An example would be a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread. The turkey is high in protein and tryptophan, and the whole wheat bread provides complex carbohydrates. Many psychiatrists treat depression with drugs that raise brain levels of serotonin. A deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids may lower brain levels of serotonin and cause depression. Depression is associated with low levels of red blood cell membrane and low intake of omega-3 acids and that a high ration of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is associated with depression.
Consume more carbohydrates than protein if you are nervous and wish to become more relaxed or eat more protein than carbohydrates if you are tired and wish to become more alert. A depressed person who needs his spirits lifted would benefit from eating foods like turkey and salmon, which are high in tryptophan and protein.
Beware: The body will react more quickly to the presence of sugar than it does to the presence of complex carbohydrates. The increase in energy supplied by the simple carbohydrates is quickly accompanied by fatigue and depression.
Heredity is a significant factor in depression. In up to 50 percent of people suffering from recurrent episodes of depression, one or both of the parents were depressives. But the ability to be healthy and happy appears to be related to several simple techniques that are all related to relaxation, exercise, and nutrition. The interesting thing about these techniques is that research is beginning to show us how they impact us at very basic levels of our chemical processes.
Also, exercise has been shown to produce another chemical known as endorphin, which helps with depression, anxiety, sleep, and sexual activity. So, besides eating certain foods, relaxation and exercise, are things we can do to affect the level of activity of these chemicals.
We know, instinctively, that the key to a sense of well-being is to schedule pleasant surroundings, favorite music, colors that please, food and even quality time with loved ones into our daily agenda. The smell of good home-made food delights the senses and can be very significant when systematically included in our daily routine. Buy flowers for their beauty and aroma, open a window and let the fresh air in, open the blinds and increase the natural light that flows into the room and into your heart.
It has been discovered that some foods influence the brain’s behavior, and the brain’s neurotransmitters, which regulate our behavior. What we eat, research shows, can create the chemical seratonin. Poor eating habits can lead to depression, especially when there is constant snacking on junk foods. Many people feel that there is a connection between the serotonin released by a carbohydrate load (sugar, etc.). Could eating carbohydrates, under stress, be aimed at this serotonin release?
When the brain produces serotonin, tension is eased. When it produces dopamine or norepinephrine, we tend to think and act more quickly and are generally more alert. Eating carbohydrates alone seems to have a calming effect, while proteins increase alertness. Complex carbohydrates, which raise the level of tryptophan in the brain, have a calming effect.
Protein promotes the production of dopamine and norepinephrine, which promote alertness. Protein meals containing essential fatty acids and/or carbohydrates are recommended for increased alertness. Salmon and white fish are good choices. Avoid foods high in saturated fats; consumption of pork or fried foods, such as hamburgers and French fries, leads to sluggishness, slow thinking, and fatigue. Fats inhibit the synthesis of neurotransmitters by the brain because they cause the blood cells to become sticky and to clump together, resulting in poor circulation, especially to the brain. Some research shows that eating peanut butter helps you to sleep better.
A balance is achieved when there is a combination of these two nutrients. An example would be a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread. The turkey is high in protein and tryptophan, and the whole wheat bread provides complex carbohydrates. Many psychiatrists treat depression with drugs that raise brain levels of serotonin. A deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids may lower brain levels of serotonin and cause depression. Depression is associated with low levels of red blood cell membrane and low intake of omega-3 acids and that a high ration of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is associated with depression.
Consume more carbohydrates than protein if you are nervous and wish to become more relaxed or eat more protein than carbohydrates if you are tired and wish to become more alert. A depressed person who needs his spirits lifted would benefit from eating foods like turkey and salmon, which are high in tryptophan and protein.
Beware: The body will react more quickly to the presence of sugar than it does to the presence of complex carbohydrates. The increase in energy supplied by the simple carbohydrates is quickly accompanied by fatigue and depression.
Heredity is a significant factor in depression. In up to 50 percent of people suffering from recurrent episodes of depression, one or both of the parents were depressives. But the ability to be healthy and happy appears to be related to several simple techniques that are all related to relaxation, exercise, and nutrition. The interesting thing about these techniques is that research is beginning to show us how they impact us at very basic levels of our chemical processes.
Also, exercise has been shown to produce another chemical known as endorphin, which helps with depression, anxiety, sleep, and sexual activity. So, besides eating certain foods, relaxation and exercise, are things we can do to affect the level of activity of these chemicals.
We know, instinctively, that the key to a sense of well-being is to schedule pleasant surroundings, favorite music, colors that please, food and even quality time with loved ones into our daily agenda. The smell of good home-made food delights the senses and can be very significant when systematically included in our daily routine. Buy flowers for their beauty and aroma, open a window and let the fresh air in, open the blinds and increase the natural light that flows into the room and into your heart.
posted by Stan Kent at
9:42 PM
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