How to Increase Your Mental Strength with Your Diet

Food for Thought

Whenever possible, eat more fish. Don't worry about the idea that there is a lot of mercury in fish; this is mostly untrue. One would have to consume a pound of fish a day for twenty or so years before they would begin to experience mercury poisoning. This fishy tale was mostly devised as propaganda by some sneaky environmentalists.

But, that aside, fish is awesome for you. Salmon, mackerel, tuna, and especially sardines, all contain omega-3 fatty acids. Of particular interest is DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that is an essential component of neural cell membranes that are responsible for making sure the cell can transfer information to and from the other cells.

Our brains are made up of about 55-70 percent fat, yet the primary fuel for our brain is carbohydrate--specifically, glucose, a simple sugar. For this, eat lots of fruits and veggies, and whole grains. Avoid white rice in favor of brown or wild rice; avoid white bread in favor of rye or another whole-grain bread. Choosing whole grains over processed ones (which, unfortunately, dominate the marketplace these days) will prevent large spikes in insulin. These large insulin upswings have been associated with such problems as poor mental performance, diabetes, bad muscle tone, and lack of energy altogether.

Get plenty of B vitamins, such as folate. Folate has been shown to increase memory capacity significantly, and more and more, B vitamin deficiencies are being linked to Alzheimer's disease. Good sources of folate include legumes, some fruits such as oranges (and other citrus fruits), and most leafy, green vegetables.

It's well-known that alcohol can harm the brain. However, it's becoming more and more public that alcohol, in small quantities, can be highly beneficial. In particular, pinot noir wine. Resveratrol is an antioxidant, a type of polyphenol, found in such grapes and berries as are used to make wine, has been shown to prevent the buildup of plaque in the brain that causes disrupted interneurocellular communication. Say that five times fast.