We rarely think about caring for our brains. It is there, it is an integral part of who we are, but it is not often that we think about it, much less know how to take care of it. Our brains are involved in everything we do. When your brain is healthy and is working right, you are right too. But when your brain is in distressed or troubled you will have distress and trouble in your life as well and the source of it might just be hidden toxins in your food.
Top 5 Ingredients that Harm Your Brain
1. Aspartame
You know this artificial sweetener as NutraSweet or Equal. Aspartame is made up of three brain-damaging chemicals – aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. The fact is, that animals fed aspartame developed seizures and brain tumors, but the FDA approved it anyway. (Seems like they care more about big business than your well-being.)
2. Diacetyl
Home-popped microwave popcorn usually contains butter flavoring with the additive diacetyl. Diacetyl is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, a defense which prevents harmful substances from entering the brain. It causes beta-amyloid clumping which is a significant indicator of Alzheimer’s. You won’t see diacetyl on the label, but if you see “artificial butter flavo” or “natural flavors” you should avoid it.
3. Monosodium glutamate
Monosodium glutamate, usually referred to simply as MSG, is ubiquitous in processed foods. It breaks down in the body into glutamate, a known excitotoxin – a substance that literally stimulates brain cells to death!
4. Aluminum
More than a Food Additive Aluminum is an additive in baking powder and anti-caking agents, but it is used as much more than just a food ingredient. It is the most abundant metal in the the earth’s crust so is hard to avoid. It’s in drinking water, antacids, deodorant, cans, foil, and is commonly used in cookware. Aluminum is suspected of contributing to Alzheimer’s. In the 1970’s, autopsies revealed that people that had Alzheimer’s had a larger than normal concentration of aluminum in the brain. This understandably began a scare that aluminum was the cause of Alzheimer’s.
5. Trans fats
Trans fats are strongly inflammatory in your entire body including damage to cell membranes throughout your body. Avoid hydrogenated oils in processed foods and deep fried foods.
The good news is…
There are plenty of superfoods, herbs, and spices that can protect your brain and your other organs too!
In fact, did you know that turmeric is one of the highest antioxidant spices that also exhibits brain-protecting effects? In India, where curry containing turmeric and other spices is eaten daily, rates of Alzheimer’s disease is among the lowest in the world, proving some of the brain-protecting effects of turmeric.
In addition, the powerful DHA and EPA omega-3 fats in fish oil have been proven in countless studies to protect your brain from damage over the years.
Mental Boost by Ema’s Herbs Combines 18 leading nutrients to stimulate mental performance and enhance memory including Huperzine A, Taurine, DMAE, Ginkgo Biloba, plus Essential Fatty Acids. No other formula is more complete or offers better absorption.
