Brain Boosting Foods

 

There are many natural whole foods that nourish the brain, but to keep things simple, we’ve listed some that offer the most benefits below. As always, choose organic or wild when possible and don’t forget to drink enough fresh water – hydrated brains are happy brains!

OILY FISH

Our brains are made mostly of fats, and omega 3 oils are very important building blocks of these fats. The fish with the highest level of omega 3 oils are “SMASH” fish – Sardines, Mackerel, Anchovies, Salmon and Herring. Salmon is usually the favourite for kids – just make sure it’s wild salmon as the farmed varieties do not have the same levels of healthy omega 3 fats. Aim for at least two servings a week.

BROCCOLI

Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts contain a very important compound called sulphorofane. This phytonutrient is crucial for proper detoxification. And as you can imagine, the less toxins your brain has to deal with the better. Broccoli sprouts contain even higher levels of sulphorafane and may be easier to add to foods if your child does not eat broccoli at the moment. If all else fails, there are supplements you can take to boost levels of this important nutrient – we’ve listed one below in our supplement of the week.

WILD BLUEBERRIES

Clinical studies have shown that consuming wild blueberries can improve cognitive function in both children and adults. They are very high in antioxidants which protect your brain from damage. Another important benefit is that they won’t raise your blood sugar. We cannot overstate how damaging high sugar is to brains – especially young ones! You can buy frozen berries but be sure they are wild as regular blueberries have much less of the antioxidant benefit as wild. There are also freeze dried wild blueberry powders you can add to your smoothie if you want a convenient way to always have some on hand.

DARK CHOCOLATE

Yes chocolate! The cocoa bean is a healthy food, packed with loads of minerals, fibre and anti-inflammatory antioxidants called flavonoids. The problem with chocolate is that most of what we consume is filled with sugar and dairy and both of these ingredients can cause inflammation in the brain. Replace milk chocolate with at least 70% organic dark chocolate and you’ll have a satisfying guilt-free treat for you and the family that has been proven in studies to improve brain function.

EGGS

Choline is an ingredient in eggs that help create an essential neurotransmitter in our brains called acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter helps send signals that control all aspects of brain communication including mood, memory and cognitive function. Choline is also used to make DNA which is the basic building block our bodies need to make any organ – brains included. Note that choline is contained in only the yolk so try to make sure the yolk is eaten. You can even add runny yolk to other foods like soups and stews to thicken them. If you child has an egg allergy, don’t worry, choline is found in a lot of other foods like meat, fish, organ meats and even broccoli (another reason to eat it!).

Food of the week: Broccoli Sprouts

As mentioned above, broccoli sprouts are high in sulforaphane, a powerful compound that easily crosses the blood brain barrier and has been proven to protect the brain against toxins. There have even been clinical trials showing remarkable benefits of sulforaphane for children with autism. Poor detoxification is one common symptom of many people with ASD, and it is understood that this phytonutrient helps give extra support in this area. You can buy broccoli sprouts in specialty stores, or sprout your own at home which may be a fun activity to do with the kids!

Supplement of the week: EnduraCell BioActive Broccoli Sprout Capsules 

There are many broccoli sprout supplements on the market but this is one of our favourites. It is made from 100% broccoli sprouts, freeze dried and put into convenient capsules that can be opened and sprinkled onto food if needed. You can buy from Your Health Basket and remember this is good for the whole family – not just your children!

 

Please only introduce new foods or supplements under the guidance of your healthcare practitioner and remember dose is important! We always recommend that people start with a very small dose and work up. Supplements are not meant to be used long term. These are general recommendations only and not intended to diagnose or treat any health issues. If you are already a patient of ours, feel free to ask your practitioner if these are suitable and don’t forget to use the discount codes listed below.

 

Buying supplements from our trusted suppliers

We recommend our patients buy supplements from the below suppliers. Note any supplement mentioned in the above article is for educational purposes only. You should only try new supplements with your child with the approval of your healthcare practitioner. If you have already gotten approval, please feel free to make use of the exclusive Brainstorm Health® discount codes we have negotiated with our suppliers. Some suppliers support Brainstorm Health® with a small commission which we reinvest into creating quality content like this newsletter to give as much free support to our community as possible.

The Natural Dispensary
Discount Code: SMC010

Amrita
Discount Code: IA12LW

Your Health Basket
Discount Code: Brainstorm10