Healing with Hillary Blog & News
12/9: Holiday Memories - 'Tis the Season for Wracking your Brain
Posted on: Thursday, December 9, 2010
Keywords: Omega3, Fish, Krill, Flax, EPA, DHA, FDA, Coconut, B-Vitamins, Magnesium
Trying to figure out where you stored the decorations, who you need to buy gifts for, what you bought last year, and whose address has changed... The list is endless. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to boost 
your brain health.
First of all you can take high quality omega 3 supplements, or eat more fish. Which fish? Well, the biggest bang for your buck comes from salmon (wild is best), herring, mackerel, anchovies, and sardines. If you aren’t that adventurous when it comes to fish, tuna also has omega 3’s, just not as much. You may also see omega 3 supplements in the form of krill oil and flax seeds, but the flax seeds are a vegetable source so they do not contain the EPA/DHA. These are the compounds that the FDA recognizes as having a benefit for your cardiovascular system. Although, if you are Canadian, your government acknowledges DHA for normal development of the brain, eyes, and nerves. Interesting... anyway, omega 3’s are recommended in amounts up to 3 grams per day.
Another boost for your brain is coconut oil. It is high in medium chain triglycerides. These compounds are highly usable by your body to make other things, so they come in handy if there is enough floating around. When purchasing coconut oil, look for extra virgin and cold pressed. Another benefit of this oil is that it is great for your skin! You can eat it and rub it on and you will benefit both inside and out.
B-vitamins are fantastic for your brain! These are good for memory as they keep the nervous system in good shape. Some B-vitamins are changed into neurotransmitters in the brain. These are the things that send the signals around up there and make your brain function.
There are specific things you can find in your cupboards and refrigerator that will boost brain function. These are brown rice, dark veggies, and CHOCOLATE!!!
Brown rice is very high in magnesium, which is very good for many systems in your body, especially the nerves. Other sources of magnesium are almonds, spinach, and oatmeal.
Dark veggies. Need I say more???
CHOCOLATE!!! YEAH! Chocolate! Yes, when your candy bar has greater than 75% (85% is even better) cacao content, it has antioxidants in it and they are good for your brain health! Candy bars with high sugar, milk, and corn syrup in them do not have the same effect, so be choosy in your chocolate bar.
I know my brain has been spinning with this holiday season so if yours is too, hopefully at least one of these tips can help keep the lists straight so checking them more than twice won’t be necessary.
Be well,
Dr B
See Dr. Botta's Practitioner Page
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