Alright you ghouls and goblins, the time is almost here where we dress up in our favorite costumes and celebrate Halloween. It’s also that time of year where we’ll be consuming candy and other treats. We wanted to take this opportunity to compile a list of some foods that are good for your brain and will not only make you smarter but also prevent brain aging. We figured they could be some good treats to include in your routine after the sugar rush wears off!

Let’s start the list off with complex carbohydrates. These are beneficial because they provide a slow release of glucose to the brain (this is the only sugar the brain can absorb). Glucose is a fuel for brain cells which are responsible for concentration, memory and learning. Some good sources of complex carbohydrates include oats, brown rice, wholegrain breads, legumes, fruits and vegetables.

The second item on our list is egg yolks. Not only are eggs a great source of protein, the yolk also contains choline which is a great promoter for memory. Choline is a key component of two molecules in the brain: phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin. These two molecules are important because they account for a high percentage of the brains total mass, making choline very very important for your brains functioning capacity. To make this beneficial you should include up to two eggs in your diet, three to four times a week.

Antioxidants

A good way to prevent brain aging is eating foods high in antioxidants, the reason being they help combat free radical damage. Free radicals are irregular molecular atoms that occur naturally in the body. They also occur externally from environmental factors such as pollution, cigarette smoke, or herbicides. They attach to the cells, causing a breakdown of tissue and possibly playing a role in causing a number of diseases from cancer to dementia. The best way to get antioxidants is to eat brightly colored fruit and vegetables like blueberries, carrots, and avocado. These may help keep our brain in firing form and protecting it from oxidative damage. Red kidney beans, granny smith apples, pecans and plums are also good sources of antioxidants.

Coffee

Now I know all you coffee drinkers out there will like this, not only does coffee wake you up but it also boosts brain power. It has been proven to improve memory and speed up reaction times by acting on the brains prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for short-term memory. Coffee has also been associated with lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s, a disease that affects memory, thoughts, and language. So when you are enjoying your cup of coffee in the morning just know that you’re doing your part in giving your brain a little more brain power in the morning.

Sage

In herbal encyclopedias Sage (saliva) is documented as an agent to help with memory. Taking sage oil can improve your memory performance. An inexpensive way to consume sage is to make your own tea. The way you can do this is by simply pouring one cup of boiled water over two teaspoons of fresh or one teaspoon of dried sage leaves. Cover and steep for 10 minutes and strain. If you are using fresh sage leaves make sure they are wrapped in a moist paper towel or bag, placed in a loose plastic bag and stored in a refrigerator.

Water

Now I know a lot of you have heard me in the office talking about water and this is why…not only is your body made up of approximately 75% of water. It‘s not only important to stay hydrated by drinking water but this also helps tremendously with brain performance. The number one cause of memory loss, at any age, is dehydration and the simple act of drinking a large glass of water can dramatically improve brain function. You should be drinking at least half your body weight in fluid ounces and a good way to start the habit is to start the day hydrated and drink a glass of water first thing upon waking up. We’d also recommend you having another glass of water when getting to work.

EPA & DHA

Great sources of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are fish. EPA acts like an anti-inflammatory in the body, and also helps to prevent the blood from clotting, which can trigger heart attacks or stroke. DHA is concentrated in large amounts in the brain and is now considered a vital nutrient to enhance learning abilities and mental development. Tuna, mackerel, salmon, trout, and sardines are the fish that contain the highest amount of fatty acids. So make sure you are incorporating some of these fish into your diet.

Kelp

Another good source from the sea is Kelp. It’s a sea vegetable (seaweed) that’s high in magnesium, calcium and iodine. Now Iodine is great and promotes normal growth and development of the brain and body. Our body does not make Iodine naturally so it is necessary to obtain it through our diet. The best way to get Iodine is through kelp, since it’s the most abundant iodine-rich sea vegetable. When you are deficient in iodine it can cause mental impairment, stunted growth and learning problems in children.

Chocolate (Cacao)

Now I know a lot of you will like this one…cacao, chocolate in its purest form, free from sugar dairy and other processed ingredients. This is a superfood which contains large amounts of antioxidants, as well as a compound called epicatechin. Scientists are now discovering with the combination of exercise and a diet in high epicatechin promotes functional changes in a part of the brain that supports learning and memory. Especially when it starts getting colder you can enjoy a nice cup of cacao which not only tastes great but will make you feel better that you are contributing to your brain health (hold the marshmallows of course). You can also put some in your breakfast smoothie.

Walnuts

This is funny because walnuts look like miniature brains, it’s like nature saying don’t forget to eat your walnuts since they;re good for your brain :) Walnuts are packed with fatty acids, very critical for brain and nervous system performance. The brain is a very fatty organ and requires adequate amounts of fatty acids for optimum function and cognition.
We also can’t forget about our nervous system. The best way to ensure it’s working at an optimum level and well is through Chiropractic care. The reason why it is beneficial is because it takes pressure off your nerves and allows your body the ability to function at its full potential. This allows you to sleep better which is also very beneficial for mental growth and concentration. So make sure you’re getting your spine checked by your local Chiropractor. Hope everyone has a very enjoyable Halloween 2014 :)