There is an epidemic in America. The epidemic is that of brain disease. More and more people are being diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and other neurological disorders. The cause of this epidemic is the increasing age of our population and the increasing stress levels of our society. The stressors include:
- Financial
- Family
- Job
- Lifestyle
- Health
- Environment
When we add up all of these stressors it creates a toxic cocktail for the brain.
Our brains are made up of 80% water and we are constantly absorbing toxins from the air we breathe, food we eat and the things we touch. We absorb these toxins through our skin and digestive system. They also enter our body when we swallow or breathe them in. The toxins that enter our body are called free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that are missing an electron and have a negative charge. Free radicals can be found in many foods, such as meat, dairy products, alcohol, coffee, sugar, bread, grains, vegetables and fruits.
Free radicals are unstable and are constantly attacking our cells. Our cells are constantly trying to repair themselves by removing these free radicals. When we remove too many free radicals our cells cannot repair themselves and they die. Free radicals also attack the DNA in our cells. The DNA is the blueprint for every cell in our body. When the DNA is damaged it causes cancer, heart disease, diabetes and many other diseases.
We need to make sure that our bodies have enough antioxidants to protect our cells from free radicals. Antioxidants help to repair the damage caused by free radicals. We get antioxidants from food and from our own body. We get antioxidants from plants and from animals. Antioxidants are found in the highest concentrations in red wine, blueberries, dark chocolate, nuts, seeds and green tea.
Antioxidants are also found in some supplements. Antioxidants are not expensive. In fact, most people already have plenty of antioxidants in their diet. However, there are certain vitamins and minerals that are deficient in our diets. These deficiencies can increase your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and other brain disorders.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is found in whole grains, nuts and seeds. Vitamin E is important because it helps to prevent blood vessels from hardening. This is important because the arteries carry oxygen to the brain. When the arteries become hardened the oxygen flow becomes restricted. This restricts the oxygen supply to the brain and causes strokes. Vitamin E also prevents the oxidation of cholesterol which increases the risk of heart disease.
Selenium is another important antioxidant. Selenium is found in Brazil nuts, oysters, tuna, fish, shrimp, spinach, garlic, broccoli and eggs. It is also found in many nutritional supplements. Selenium is an important mineral for brain function. Selenium is needed to make thyroid hormone and thyroid hormones are needed to make energy. Energy is needed to keep the brain active.
Vitamin B6 is an antioxidant that is found mostly in meats and grains. Vitamin B6 is needed for many chemical reactions in the body. Vitamin B6 is also needed for the production of serotonin and norepinephrine. Serotonin and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters that help to regulate mood. When the levels of serotonin and norepinepherine are low, depression can occur. Depression is one of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is found mainly in citrus fruits, tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, kiwi fruit, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower and broccoli. Vitamin C is needed for many chemical reactions within the body. Vitamin C is needed to produce collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are proteins that give strength to the bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. When the levels of vitamin C are low, arthritis can occur.
Vitamin D is an antioxidant that is found primarily in fatty fish, milk, cheese and egg yolks. Vitamin D is important because it regulates the calcium in our blood. Calcium is needed to build strong bones. When the levels of calcium are low, osteoporosis can occur. Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones become thin and brittle. Osteoporosis makes bones break easily and can lead to fractures.
It is important to note that these vitamins and minerals are not just for adults. Children should also take them. Many children suffer from ADHD and depression. Vitamin D deficiency is very common in children. Vitamin E deficiency is also very common in children. Many children have high levels of cortisol and low levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D is also important for children because it helps to build strong bones.
Vitamins and minerals are very important for brain health. If you want to live a long and healthy life, then you need to ensure that you are getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals. You can do this by eating a balanced diet and taking a good multi-vitamin supplement.
