Why do a blog on the My Top 5 Supplements To Help Support Brain Health?
With brain related diseases on the rise, particularly dementia – there were over 55 million people worldwide living with dementia in 2020.
This number is expected to double every 20 years, reaching 78 million in 2030 and 139 million in 2050.
Why is this happening and what can we do about it now to help protect our brain health as we get older?
Oxidative stress has long been linked to age-related cognitive decline, the harbinger of dementia.
Oxidative stress is a general term used to describe the steady state level of oxidative damage in a cell, tissue, or organ, caused by the reactive oxygen species (ROS).
ROS are chemically unstable and highly reactive, but their levels are kept relatively low by antioxidants.
Environmental stress (toxins), emotional stress, dietary stress, and other external factors such as smoking and alcohol intake is contributing to oxidative stress that impacts the brain.
Epidemiologic studies relating adherence to antioxidant-rich dietary patterns (hello plant based eating!) to lower incidence of cognitive impairment provide supportive evidence for the oxidative hypothesis of cognitive decline.
In today’s modern world, simply eating clean sometimes isn’t enough, which is why I like to supplement to help support my body and brain.
Here are my Top 5 for Brain Health:
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Lions Mane
Lion’s mane’s effect on nerve growth factor levels may enable it to help protect against disorders like Alzheimer’s & other diseases that feature cognitive impairment. Lion’s mane is a type of nootropic, meaning it contains compounds that improve brain health and function.
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Cordyceps
Research has shown that increased oxygen uptake in the brain helps to increase blood flow to brain cells and fight mental fatigue. Cordyceps have been shown to improve many aspects of cognitive performance including learning capacity and memory.
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Gingko Biloba
Ginkgo improves blood flow to the brain and acts as an antioxidant. Ginkgo has a positive effect on memory and thinking in people with Alzheimer disease or vascular dementia, helping improve thinking, learning, and memory & cognitive function.
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Glutathione
Glutathione is a potent antioxidant and detoxifying agent that is produced de novo in the cytoplasm of every cell of the human body.
The significant amount of Glutathione in the human brain is used for radical scavenging and balancing oxidative stress (ROS).
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Alpha Lipoic Acid
Helps treat chronic diseases and manage oxidative stress. Because alpha-lipoic acid can pass easily into the brain, it can help protect the brain and nerve tissue.
Annnd don’t forget to grab my Gluten Free Lemon Walnut Banana Bread Recipe to fire up your brain today!
Why?
We all know walnuts are the complete brain food, rich in alpha-linolenic acid, a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid. Walnuts also possess more polyphenolic compounds than any other type of nut.
Both omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols are considered critical brain foods that help counteract oxidative stress and inflammation, two drivers of cognitive decline.
PS. Get my FREE 5 Hacks To Plant Based Eating eBook when you subscribe to me! Plus, monthly tips and recipes to support an anti-oxidant rich diet so your brain stays healthy, at The Raw Food Kitchen HERE.
PSS. Get 10% OFF Superfeast mushroom products for your brain! Use my code at the checkout: MUSHIES
