Looking After Your Brain
Brain health is such an important subject — we don’t realise how it affects every part of our body. The brain is a balance of parts that work together to create and sustain life. Specific parts of the brain are designed to do certain things, but its functions are rarely simple.
Looking at what makes the brain function correctly is especially important given how many people are struggling with mental health today.
This post has a lot of personal importance to me, as a close friend was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, and as a naturopath I have been researching every possible reason why this can happen.
A lot of people do not place enough importance on brain health — we can take it for granted, especially when it comes to diet. Yet the brain is one of the most important organs in the body. With so many people experiencing anxiety and depression and relying on medication to cope, looking at simple ways to improve brain health can be a lifesaver.
If your brain is healthy, your body is healthy. What you eat, what you put on your skin, and what you breathe in all impact your brain.
Your brain is involved in everything you do — how you think, how you feel, how you act, and how well you get along with other people. It is the organ behind your intelligence, character, personality, and every single decision you make.
The brain is arguably the most important and most complex organ in the body. When your brain works better, everything in your life improves — decisions come more rapidly, you get things done in half the time, and your sense of purpose seems to happen effortlessly. Ironically, many of us know very little about this amazing organ.
What Can Hurt Your Brain?
If you are committed to improving your brain health and are ready to take the necessary steps to empower yourself, do this before you receive a diagnosis like my friend did.
Start by looking at your diet and keeping it as clean as possible — organic where you can, and even plant-based, because the majority of diseases are caused by high inflammation and our main goal is to reduce it. One of the most inflammatory foods is red meat — regardless of how lean it is. Reducing chemicals in food and everything else that touches your body is very important for protecting your brain.
There are many things that hurt the brain: drugs, too much alcohol, infections, environmental toxins, and traumatic head injuries. Research also tells us that obesity, sleep apnoea, hypertension, and even high-normal blood pressure can have an impact. There is also research linking diabetes, certain medications such as benzodiazepines, a highly processed diet with lots of sugar, artificial colours and sweeteners, chronic stress, and negative relationships to poor brain health. Take a moment to consider how many of these factors may be affecting you.
There are also many things that are good for the brain and can boost its function — good nutrition, learning new things, meditation, loving relationships, and key nutrients including B6, B12, Vitamin D, and omega fatty acids. Spending time with healthy people is beneficial too, as their lifestyle is contagious.
The Most Detrimental Things That Can Hurt Your Brain
Chemicals — your brain and body are remarkable at stopping chemicals from attacking, but the amount we bombard ourselves with is astronomical — from food to environment to personal care products. (The way researchers test for Parkinson’s Disease in mice is by introducing chemicals into their bodies — and we are surrounded by chemicals every day.)
Injuries — head injuries can have a significant effect on the brain and are a known factor in Parkinson’s Disease. The brain is very soft and only protected by the skull, so any impact can cause bruising and damage.
Not Getting Enough Sleep — sleep is one of the most important aspects of health, especially for the brain. You have a system called the Glymphatic system which clears the brain of excess proteins — and this only works during REM sleep. (Sleep is a major factor in Parkinson’s Disease and many other neurological conditions.)
Nutrition — feeding the brain correctly is one of the most important things you can do. It needs the right nutrients and chemical-free food. (Organic food with no preservatives and only natural sugars.)
Not Exercising Enough — exercise is vital for every part of the body, but especially for keeping the brain healthy as we age.
Not Listening to Your Body — when your body is not functioning well, your brain lets you know. Signs include emotional dysregulation, anger, irritability, and simply not feeling right. These are all signals to look more closely at what is happening in your body — and especially your brain.
Reduce Alcohol and Caffeine — the brain is 80 per cent water. Too much caffeine or alcohol will dehydrate the brain and reduce its function.
Not Using a Water Filter — drinking 8 glasses of filtered water a day can make the difference between having a headache and not being able to focus, versus feeling clear and energised. One of the oldest excuses is that you will need to urinate more — but dehydrating the brain is far worse. Your kidneys and bladder are there for detoxifying your body and keeping your brain healthy.
If you are experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, or erratic behaviour like moodiness, anger, and irritability — and you can’t understand why — your brain is not happy. A Brain Wellness Plan could be exactly what you need.
One of the best things you can do for yourself and your family is to start making these changes in your life.
You may be interested in my new eBook, coming very soon. By following my Brain Wellness Plan, you will have everything you need to nurture and heal your brain. You will see improvement from some very small changes.
If you have any questions or would like to have a chat, please contact me or make an appointment.
Phone: 0448 863 033
Email: lee@naturopathperth.net.au
Website: www.leesholistichealth.com