What you eat may affect how you think. Here are my favourite brain foods:
Omega-3
fatty
acids
They’re found in fatty fish like salmon and tuna and in soybean oil, walnuts and canola oil, or you can take three grams of fish oil a day. Look for brands with toxins removed. Recently, researchers found that pregnant women who ate at least 340 grams of seafood a week containing omega-3s had children with significantly higher IQ scores, a lower risk of behavioural problems, and fewer difficulties with fine motor skills, communication and social development. (If you’re pregnant and worried about mercury, the experts recommend no more than 340 grams of fish a week.)
Blueberries
Certain fruits and vegetables may slow and even reverse age-related declines in brain function and motor performance. Blueberries appear to be especially healthy.
They’re rich in anthocyanins, flavonoids that seem to offer brain benefits.
Green
tea
In addition to its other healthy properties, green tea may help improve memory and prevent some age-related memory loss.
Chocolate
This is my personal favourite (in moderation, of course). Some dark chocolate is rich in flavonols, substances that dilate your arteries. A study found that flavonol-rich cocoa improved blood flow, which may help prevent age-related dementia.
HOW TO
HEAL
COLDS AND FLU
THE NUTRITIONIST
Stay healthy by following a balanced diet high in vitamin C. It’s been shown to potentially decrease the severity and duration of the cold — if you have enough of the powerful antioxidant in your system before you get sick. In addition to citrus, good sources include broccoli green and red peppers, and cantaloupe. Remember, too, to drink plenty of water and 100% fruit juices to stay hydrated.
THE SUPPLEMENT PRO
When you first feel a cold coming on, suck on zinc lozenges (zinc acetate or gluconate). If you’re around sick people, add some garlic to your diet, as well as medicinal shiitake mushrooms. They may stimulate the immune response. Tomatoes and other lycopene-rich foods may help, and chicken soup also helps loosen mucus.
THE MEDITATION GUIDE
Transcendental Meditation (TM) has been shown to improve immune function. In TM, your mind and body experience a state of deep relaxation. The level of rest is deeper than what you get during the deepest sleep. As a result, the body repairs itself over time in a very efficient way.
THE ACUPUNCTURE EXPERT
Acupunctre isn’t a substitute for conventional prevention and treatments (a flu shot, enough sleep, a healthy diet, exercise, stress management). But acupuncture can help you feel balanced. If you get sick, and if your doctor is comfortable with it, see an acupuncturist, who might use needles on your face, arms, chest and back. This may lessen the severity and duration of colds and flu.
Over
200
viruses are known
to cause symptoms
of the common cold.
