MORE ON DIET AND BRAIN FUNCTIONING:
The
impact of diet on the human mind and body
Over the years, I have written about the role of diet in the psychological
state of the individual, in relation to stress, and in relation to general mental functioning ability.
Here is a document
I put together as an extract from Patrick Holford, on the impact of diet on crime. If diet can cause criminal activity,
how much more can it cause problems in relationship conflict, and general mood disorders in counselling clients:
http://diet-and-crime.blogspot.com/
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I am now appending a collection of articles on diet and its effects
on thinking, mood and emotion, compiled by Jimmy Walter...
Some articles on diet and cognition ability and
mood.
Compiled by Jimmy Walter
Recent studies have investigated the idea that food can affect
a person's mood and behavior. Hippocrates was actually the first to
suggest the healing powers of food (Prasad 1998).
Through modern-day laboratory experiments, science has examined the role of diet in maintaining health and mental well-being.
Nutrition has been shown to affect cognitive behavior, such as the ability of an individual to think, reason, remember, and
attend to information effectively (Kanarek and Swinney 1990). Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, alcohol and caffeine have all
shown clear effects on appetite, metabolism and satiety. These changes can, in turn, affect behavior. Since diet has been
shown to alter brain chemistry, behavior, and the action of neuroactive drugs, food may be used to regulate mood for normal,
"healthy" individuals and those "unhealthy" individuals that may suffer from depression or drug withdrawal
(Prasad 1998). Nutrients can influence some emotional disorders and behaviours (Christiansen 1997). This paper will explore
the current research on the effects that specific foods such as carbohydrates, proteins, caffeine, and alcohol have on mood
and behavior. It will also look at diets that can serve as possible therapies for emotional disorders associated with drug
(alcohol) withdrawal and diseases like depression.
http://sulcus.berkeley.edu/mcb/165_001/papers/manuscripts/_901.html
Improving brain functioning with memory exercises and diet and physical exercise
"The
UCLA study is the first to show the impact of memory exercises and stress reduction used together with a healthy diet and
physical exercise to improve brain and cognitive function."
http://www.newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/UCLA-Study-Finds-that-Simple-Lifestyle-7062.aspx?RelNum=7062
Iron deficiency and inability to concentrate
"Iron deficiency interferes with
the body's ability to make hemoglobin,
therefore decreasing the amount of oxygen getting to the cells. Signs of iron
deficiency include a decrease in physical energy and an inability
to concentrate and impaired cognitive development
in children.
http://www.dietlearning.com/iron.htm
Dietary effects on thinking
"The role of diet in cognitive function is one of the
vastly understudied areas in the neurosciences," says Carl W. Cotman, PhD, of
the University of California-Irvine.
"As these recent studies show, significant new findings are appearing which highlight the importance of this research
on diet and cognitive function."
http://www.neuroskills.com/pr-dietcognition.shtml
Antioxidants and brain functioning
"In recent years, research shows that nutrition
and diet can affect cognitive performance both positively and negatively, and that
environmental and cognitive enrichment
can modulate the effects of nutrition and diet. Factors that have a positive effect on cognition
include antioxidants,
anti-inflammatory agents, and estrogen. Due to a high rate of oxygen metabolism, the brain accumulates oxidative damage with
age. In rodents, antioxidants singly and in combination can improve cognitive function and reduce age-related cognitive decline.
Recent studies also show that various fruits and vegetables (e.g., blueberries, spinach, etc.) can reduce age-related losses
in motor function and cognition.
http://ods.od.nih.gov/pubs/elderly.14jan03.abst.cotman.pdf
Effects Of Nutrition On Learning
ScienceDaily (Jul. 25, 2006) - Poor nutrition
early in life can impair
neural development, leading to lower IQ in humans and flawed song
learning in birds.
Recent evidence indicates that many organisms can
offset some of the changes associated with early poor nutrition by
modifying their physical development. For example, poorly nourished
children can undergo a period of accelerated
growth once their diet
improves, ultimately appearing normal as an adult. But such compensatory measures may come at
a price, with cognitive or other developmental disabilities emerging later in life.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/07/060721203414.htm
Leafy Green Vegetables May Help Keep Brains Sharp Through Aging
ScienceDaily
(Sep. 26, 2005) - According to a recent report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, folate, a B vitamin found in
foods like leafy green vegetables and citrus fruit, may protect against cognitive decline in older adults. The research
was conducted by
scientists at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/09/050926082256.htm
Omega-3 Intake During Last Months Of Pregnancy Boosts An Infant's Cognitive And Motor Development
ScienceDaily (Apr. 11, 2008) - A study supervised by Université Laval
researchers Gina Muckle
and Éric Dewailly reveals that omega-3 intake
during the last months of pregnancy boosts an infant's sensory,
cognitive, and motor development. The details of this finding are
published in a recent edition of the Journal
of Pediatrics.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080409110029.htm
Diet Linked To Cognitive Decline And Dementia
ScienceDaily (Nov. 12, 2007) - Research
has shown convincing evidence that dietary patterns practiced during adulthood are important contributors to age-related cognitive
decline and dementia risk. An article published in Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences highlights information on the
benefits of diets high in fruit,
vegetables, cereals and fish and low in saturated fats in reducing
dementia risk.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071106164725.htm
Eating Fish Associated With Slower Cognitive Decline
Science Daily (Oct. 11, 2005)
- CHICAGO - Consuming fish at least once a week was associated with a 10 percent per year slower rate of cognitive decline
in elderly people, according to a new study posted online today from Archives of Neurology,
one of the JAMA/Archives
journals.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051011073219.htm
The problem with coffee
While coffee and other stimulants temporarily increase cognitive
functions, they are like a loan at the bank - they come due with
interest added - they deprive you of deep sleep.
See this link for older people.
http://www.memory-key.com/Seniors/senior_research_diet.htm
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