Nutritional Guidelines for a Healthy Brain* What we eat and drink affects how we think and feel. This is increasingly clear from scientific research. The biochemical brain messages passed from cell to cell by neurotranmitters may be enhanced by the nutrients we ingest. The pioneering field of nutritional neuroscience is in its infancy. But scientists are finding that specific nutrients may be able to increase mental performance and sharpen memory. (For a complete treatment of the subject please see our list of further reading.) Nutrients, minerals and vitamins found to promote brain function: Iron This important mineral transports oxygen in red blood cells, including those that travel to your brain. Iron-poor blood is linked to a short attention span and mental sluggishness. beef, pork, raisins, prunes, dried apricots Choline Converted in the body to acetylcholine, which appears to regulate memory and mental sharpness eggs, red meat, nuts, lecithin Folic Acid Helps maintain brain's levels of memory-boosting choline. orange juice, strawberries, dark green leafy vegetables, wheat germ, dried beans, peas Anti-Oxidants Vitamin C, E, and beta-carotene help battle damage caused by free radicals that may lead to cloudy thought and confusion. dark green, red, yellow, or orange fruits, veggies Linolenic A super-unsaturated essential fatty acid that helps brain cells forge new connections. Useful for complex thought processes. canola, soy, walnut and flaxseed oils, seaweed Calcium Increases your abiliy to concentrate low-fat milk & cheese, yogurt, broccoli B Vitamins Of all the vitamins, those that are most important to optimal brain function are the B vitamins. B vitamins are water soluble which means for the most part they're not stored in the body for long and consequently you need to replenish your supplement of them frequently. There are four B vitamins which are quite important for optimal brain function: B12, B 1, B 6, & B3 The first of these is vitamin B12. *Please consult your Doctor before beginning any new nutritional regimen.