How To Improve Brain Function? Avoid These 5 Brain Poisons
Did you realize that each day you may be being exposed to what are really hidden nuclear bombs waiting to detonate into problems focusing, brain fog, extreme fatigue and even worse, diseases of the new millennium? So how to improve brain function?
The problem is, these unknown toxic exposures are never addressed and often go unchecked until it’s too late. Our culture is consistently exposed to what I like to call, brain poison. Some of the most damaging brain poisons include the protein gluten, unfermented soy, blood sugar imbalances, poor posture, & a sedentary lifestyle.
So what are 5 of the most toxic things you may be exposing your brain too without even knowing it?
1. Gluten Sensitivity
One of the most common nutritional/toxicity issues in our society today is the common protein found in wheat, barley, rye, oats, kamut, & spelt. According to gluten researcher Kenneth Fine, up to 81% of our society has a gluten allergy. When you are exposed to gluten your body has differing degrees of inflammatory responses. Some individuals have mild inflammatory reactions while others have severe reactions.
The most vulnerable tissue to the inflammatory cascade in response to gluten is the brain & nervous system. The immune molecules that are secreted (cytokines) destroy brain tissue and cause massive neurological damage. The most common symptom associated with this reaction is “brain fog,” memory problems, and mental fatigue.
TIP: Avoid gluten where possible even if you are unsure whether or not you are allergic to it and replace breads and pastas with more vegetables, salads and healthy fats.
2. Unfermented Soy
One of soy’s primary isoflavones, genistein, has been shown to inhibit the enzyme tyrosine kinase in the brain. The highest amounts of tyrosine kinases are found in the hippocampus, a brain region that is essential to learning & memory. High soy consumption actually blocks this mechanism of memory formation.
Several studies have associated high intakes of tofu and other unfermented soy products to increased risk of dementia and cognitive impairments. On the flip side, fermented soy products such as tempeh are associated with greater cognitive abilities. Researchers hypothesize that this is due to the deep fermentation process removing enzyme inhibitors and phytoestrogens. In addition, this process increases folate, which is a critical nutrient for brain and nervous system function.
TIP: Swap out your tofu for tempeh and your brain will thank you.
3. Blood Sugar Imbalance
The brain depends on a continual supply of glucose for energy. A 2003 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that people’s memory is actually harmed by poor blood sugar metabolism. The slower the sugar metabolism in the body, the less fuel is available for the brain to store memories. Stable blood sugar levels are critical for healthy brain and neuronal cells that fire quickly and efficiently.
Abnormal blood sugar levels also cause neuronal damage and weaken the protective blood-brain barrier. This makes for easy passage of different toxins and other particles that will disrupt brain function. A mechanism for Alzheimer’s disease is that of poor blood sugar metabolism. This pre-diabetic disorder opens the door in the blood brain barrier for toxic aluminum particles to cross-over and accumulate in the sensitive regions of the temporal lobe.
TIP: By sticking to a wholefoods diet full of vegetables, healthy fats & protein and avoiding sugar and processed foods you can help you blood sugar levels stabilize.
4. Sedentary Living
The brain depends on oxygen and activation from muscle and joint receptors on a continual basis. A lack of motion equals a lack of oxygen generating energy getting up into the brain.
TIP: Try to limit the amount of time sitting each day and get in some exercise where you can. For example get off the bus a stop earlier or take the stairs instead of the elevator. Or try a HIIT workout (find out more here)
5. Poor Posture
Poor posture and subluxated spinal vertebrae cause spinal joint receptors to fire abnormal, corrupted feedback patterns into the brain. This causes further brain-body feedback problems and disrupted movement patterns in the body. Chronically poor posture is one of the most detrimental factors for brain function.
TIP: Get up and move throughout the day whenever you can or swap out your usual desk for a standing one (find out how this can help you improve posture and burn 40% more calories here).
BONUS BRAIN HACK! Dr. Accurso’s #1 Immune System Booster
A strong immune system is important for your brain & body!
Glucose and vitamin C have similar chemical structures, so what happens when the sugar levels go up? They compete for one another upon entering the cells. And the thing that mediates the entry of glucose into the cells is the same thing that mediates the entry of vitamin C into the cells. If there is more glucose around, there is going to be less vitamin C allowed into the cell. It doesn’t take much: a blood sugar value of 120 reduces the phagocytic index by 75%.
So when you eat sugar, think of your immune system slowing down to a crawl. So keep your intake of sugar low to keep your immune system functioning optimally and therefore your brain functioning optimally.
Remember information is nothing without action so pick one of the tips above and start implementing today!
Want some customized advice on how you can:
- Improve brain function, focus & creativity
- Improve productivity and boost energy levels
- Get the body you have always wanted?
Well book in now for a one on one consultation with me today and lets take your health to the next level!
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