Feeding the Brain

Our ability to concentrate and cognitively process depends on fuel reaching the brain. It also depends on the ability of nerves to relay messages. Some of those messages ask the endocrine system to release hormones such as thyroid hormones, or insulin.

photo CC by Charles KaiserWhat you or your child eats daily will determine how well these pathways work. If breakfast is skipped, glucose for the brain must come from storage, i.e. fat, which is a procedure of many steps that takes time, rather than the quick boost that can come from food. If lunch is minimal or junky, the many-steps procedure kicks in again. If this food contains allergens that incite inflammation, the brain will feel this ‘pain.’ Meanwhile, you or your child can’t focus or make a quick decision.

Healing the Brain

Many of us have suffered head injuries as children which didn’t completely or correctly heal. This means nerve and brain functions will suffer, and messages aren’t properly relayed. There are nutrient and complementary therapies which can heal many of these injuries, even later in life.

Heavy metals and chemicals are a chronic insult to our physical bodies in the modern world. Many of these substances are very neurotoxic. Learning how to avoid further contamination and how to help your body remove them will always improve mental capacity.

Many times ADD and ADHD are an indication of poor thyroid function. Perhaps the thyroid needs better food for itself, such as iodine and other trace minerals, or perhaps the situation is more complicated as I have described for that Condition. Regardless, optimizing thyroid functions can be the key to restoring cognition. Thyroid hormones can determine the difference between the janitor and the CEO of a company!