Wanna Keep Those Brain Cells? Try This:

By Ellie Marrandette

It is a heartbreaking aspect of life to see a loved one’s memories fade away before one’s eyes. With an increase of Alzheimer’s and dementia in today’s world, I’m sure most people would like to ward off any possibility of acquiring these debilitating illnesses if at all possible.

One successful way to stave off dementia is to relinquish high-cholesterol-saturated fat, nutrient-deprived-fast-food diets in favor of a Mediterranean Diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean protein like chicken. Sirloin, and fish.

The brain feeds primarily on glucose, a simple carbohydrate, which delivers quick energy to every cell in the body. Now, I’m not giving you a license to consume donuts and cupcake carbs. On the contrary, one needs balance. Too many simple carbohydrates raise dangerous LDL cholesterol as well as triglyceride levels, while complex carbohydrates do not.

Trans-fatty acids, found in store-bought baked goods, are meant for extending supermarket shelf life, but they’ll greatly diminish the shelf life of your brain.

Cheap solidified trans-fat oils will harden, clogging the arteries, creating a sludge-like effect through which blood must pump. How frustrating is it when water flows through clogged pipes? Now imagine those pipes as your arteries. Your brain activity would slow similarly.

Have you ever experienced “brain fog” when you feel jittery, “out of it,” and can’t think of the correct word to say? If so, reach for an apple or orange juice. You’ll send those nutrient-dense carbohydrates into your system within fifteen minutes. Then add a little protein and good fat, such as walnuts, natural peanut butter, or turkey for balance.

Stress also affects brain chemistry because it releases cortisol which alters serotonin, dopamine, and epinephrine. These three brain neurotransmitters affect memory. Short-term stress usually sharpens memory and alertness but long-term stress affects us in more troubling ways.

Stress releases hormones for the “fight or flight” reaction. This is fine when we are running away from a wild animal but what happens when we cannot avoid stress? A high-pressure job, raising children, bankruptcy, or commuting in city traffic each day are not situations we can simply run away from. When people depend on us every day, we’ll normally stuff those stresses deep inside attempting to adjust to them.

Preplan to Combat Stress. Find an outlet for relief, whether it’s through a sports activity, soothing music, watching a comedy, or talking to a pastor, friend, or counselor. Extensive research has shown that holding stress inside will eventually atrophy brain cells. In addition, we normally reach for sugary comfort foods, drugs, or alcohol.

I highly recommend increasing beneficial Omega-3′s which contain anti-inflammatory properties for a healthier brain:

Reason #1: Omega 3′s have a calming effect on the brain. If you’ve had an especially stressful day, plan on a yummy dinner of grilled salmon, quinoa, and a side of garlic-enhanced spinach greens. It’ll improve your mood.

Reason #2: DHA, a fatty acid, creates more flexibility and fluidity between brain cells, allowing neurotransmitters, the brain’s messaging system, to work more efficiently. Add two servings of salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, trout, cod, or other fatty fish to your weekly diet. If you absolutely loathe fish, at least add a fish oil supplement daily.

Even some vegetables contain essential omega 3′s: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, Brussels sprouts, and green beans. Add milled flaxseed to breakfast cereals. Use olive oil to cook with and plain yogurt to make salad dressing. Add olives, anchovies, or walnuts to salads.

Reason #3: Omega 3′s bring oxygen to the blood-brain barrier, thinning the blood, allowing it to remain less sticky so dangerous blood clots do not form.

Reason # 4: Omega 3’s retains priceless eyesight by assisting in the prevention of macular degeneration.

Next, season your food without salt. You can spice up your life with turmeric, curries, wasabi, horseradish, and hot spicy foods which stimulate brain cells. Spicy foods also open up the lungs which increase oxygen to the brain. Salt narrows arteries, restricting oxygen.

Increase Green Tea which improves cognitive brain function with its antioxidant properties. College students who consumed green tea before a test found it increased their cognitive abilities and thus received higher scores.

Never stop learning! Stimulate new pathways through solitaire, reading, Sudoku, brain games, and crossword puzzles! God gave us brains for a reason – use brainpower or lose it.

Finally, exercise! Fresh air and breathing deeply releases Nitric Oxide, a gas that assists with increased brain function.

What damages brain cells?

No matter how hard we try, we are going to lose some of our cognitive ability. Adam and Eve’s sin released the Second Law of Thermodynamics, becoming a natural process of life. All cells eventually wear down and deteriorate.

Brain cells are neurons. Their purpose is to send and receive electro-chemical responses to other parts of bodily systems. Drug and alcohol abuse can drastically kill off neurons. That’s not saying one can’t take drugs for pain or enjoy a glass of wine. If either becomes a crutch or worse, a controlling “idol” then it’s time to discuss this with a family member or professional.

Smoking reduces the veins and thus reduces oxygen getting into the brain. Alcohol is fine in moderation but too much decreases the ends of your neurons which transports messages to the brain

“Let each of you look out not only to your own interests, but also for the interests of others.  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:4,5)

Increase beneficial complex carbs of fibrous fruits, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables and cut out the junk. Don’t be misled by manipulative advertising which destroys your godly temple. When you’re ill, your family and loved ones suffer heartache also. I urge you to do all you can to live a long, abundant, healthy life. Your grandchildren will appreciate it!

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After attending Graham Jr. College in Boston and Moody Bible College, Ellie Marrandette earned her Bachelor of Ministry (BMIN) from Trinity Theological Seminary. Fascinated by psychology and physiology, God directed Ellie toward a rewarding healthcare career. She became a licensed, certified nutritional counselor, working with doctors, nutritional centers, and independently as the founder of New Creations Ministries , a faith-based solution in overcoming health challenges.

In recent years, God has focused Ellie’s path toward writing. She is the author of four Christian novels, a novella, and a non-fiction book on healthy living entitled, Life’s Too Short to Eat Bad Cheese (Nutritional and Life Lessons God Teaches Us.) All can be found on: Here. Her current endeavor is to complete a children’s devotional this year.

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