Chef Rich Thoughts about Food and the Brain
March 26, 2016Chef Rich Thoughts about Food and the Brain
Hippocrates stated:
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”. This is a very powerful statement and carries an even greater meaning. We have traveled very far from that statement and thought, and allowed chemical derivatives and laboratory additives invade our bodies. We have strayed from foods that have the ability to fuel, heal, repair and grow our bodies in a positive way to foods that restrict, strain, poison, and contaminate our bodies, with side affects that we might not even know or understand at this point. Our real food when cooked and consumed properly will give the body energy, the ability to repair itself, and develop properly thereby reducing the risk of chronic illness or disease. The brain consumes an immense amount of energy relative to the rest of the body. In order for your brain to not only develop properly but appropriately handle cognitive actions and reactions as well as emotional balance it must have the proper nutrition in the form of nutrient dense foods. Several dietary components have been identified as having effects on cognitive abilities. Dietary factors can affect multiple brain processes by regulating neurotransmitter pathways, synaptic transmission, membrane fluidity and signal-transduction pathways. For instance Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to improve cognitive ability, food sources that are rich in omega 3 are: salmon, flax seeds, chia seeds, kiwi fruit and walnuts. Flavonoids have been shown to aid in improvement of cognitive ability in the elderly and are found in: cocoa, green tea, citrus fruits, vegetables, dark chocolate and red wine. Nutritionally dense foods that are high in antioxidants vitamins and minerals have also been shown to improve, preserve and delay cognitive decline in elderly, as well as younger men and women. These vitamins minerals and antioxidants can be found in mushrooms, berries, asparagus, avocados, nuts, whole grains, citrus fruits, peppers, and beans. Numerous vitamins and minerals can only be found in animal products and are essential when promoting healthy brain function. These can be found in chicken, beef, pork, bison, duck, turkey, pork, and lamb. That being said leaner cuts and proper portion sizes should always be followed. Eating properly isn’t enough to stimulate the brain and promote optimal brain function. An active lifestyle has shown, in conjunction with healthy eating to have vast improvements to not only brain function but to the overall wellness of the individual. For more information please contact Chef Rich at chefrich@1-dish.com.
KEEP GOD FIRST, EAT FRESH EAT CLEAN, AND DO IT 1-DISH AT A TIME
Chef Rich will be our guest host preparing a special brain healthy meal on Thursday, March 31st at the East Orlando Health Network Luncheon, held at Encore at Avalon Park.
