Is it you reading this blog or your brain? It is your brain. Your brain and nervous system are in charge of controlling all functions of the body. The key to living a healthy and epic life is to optimize brain health. A healthy brain equals a healthy you.
The brain is an energy-demanding organ. At rest, the brain uses 20% of the calories consumed, and the brain of a developing six-year-old uses 60% of calories consumed for energy. The brain must be supplied with the correct nutrients for maximized function. The brain needs foods that are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fats.
Jim Kwik, World memory champion and author of the book “Limitless: Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, and Unlock Your Exceptional Life” has created a list of the top ten foods for brain health.
Jim Kwik’s 10 Favorite Brain Foods
- Avocado.
- It helps keep healthy blood flow.
- Good source of monounsaturated fats
- Blueberries (or ‘brainberries!).
- Protects your brain from oxidative stress
- Reduces the effect of brain-aging conditions
- Rats who ate blueberries had improved overall learning capacity and motor skills and were mentally younger
- Broccoli.
- A remarkable source of fiber
- Rich in vitamin K, which is known to enhance cognitive function and improve brainpower
- Coconut Oil.
- Medium-chain fatty acid, which ignites your body’s fat-burning furnaces to help create ketones
- Eggs.
- Full of memory-improving choline, Omega-3s, and vitamin E
- Green Leafy Vegetables.
- Spinach, kale, collard greens
- Good sources of vitamin E and folate
- Salmon.
- Wild deep-water fish rich in Omega-3s and DHA
- Sardines are also acceptable.
- Turmeric.
- Reduces inflammation and helps boost antioxidant levels
- It keeps your immune system healthy.
- Improves brain’s oxygen intake to you alert and able to process information
- Recipe: I start my days with turmeric tea. I combine turmeric, pepper (to absorb the turmeric better), honey, coconut oil, and hot water.
- Walnuts.
- High levels of antioxidants and zinc
- Rich in vitamin E, which protects your neurons
- Wards off brain-aging conditions
- Lots of magnesium, which improves your mood and thus your brain
- Dark Chocolate.
- Improves your focus, concentration, and mood
- Stimulates endorphins
- Generally, the darker the chocolate, the purer and better for your brain.
BONUS 11. Water.
- Your brain and body are about 75% water.
- Several studies show that well-hydrated people score better on brain power tests.
Dr. Andrew’s Brain Boost Smoothie
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup of raw walnuts
- ½ jumbo Avocado
- ½ cup of frozen blueberries
- ½ cup of frozen riced broccoli
- 1 tbsp of Max Keto MCT
- One scoop of Chocolate Green’s First (contains chocolate, green leafy vegetables, and turmeric)
- ½ scoop to a full scoop of vanilla Pure Path Bone Broth Protein
- 3 dropper full of Probiotic Mycomind Lion’s Mane Tincture
- 8 ounces of coconut milk
- 3 tbsp of Cacao Nibs
- 3 tbsp of unsweetened coconut flakes
Directions:
Add all ingredients except cacao nibs and coconut flakes to a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth and pour into a 32-ounce glass. Stir in the cacao nibs and coconut flakes.