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  • DHA and Our Brains

Food and Supplements for Optimal Brain Function

18 Oct

DHA and Our Brains

  • By Zach Nasr
  • In Food and Supplements for Optimal Brain Function, Supplements, Uncategorized
  • 4 comments

DHA and DHEA, despite being similar acronyms, are two different things entirely. This article discusses DHA or docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid derived from food sources. DHEA is dehydroepiandrosterone, which is a synthetic hormone. While synthetic hormones may have beneficial uses in some cases, they are not discussed here a nutrition for optimal brain function and repair.

That being said, let’s talk about the food derived omega-3 fatty acid known as DHA.

The Importance of Omega-3’s:

DHA is one of the most important omega-3 fatty acids in our diet. First off, what is an omega-3 fatty acid? There are two essential fatty acids (EFA’s) which are alpha linoleic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid), and linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid).
They are called “essential” because our bodies cannot produce them so we must acquire them from food sources. When it comes to omega-3’s, there are three main players:

  • ALA (alpha linoleic acid)
  • EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
  • DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)

ALA must be acquired from food sources because we can’t create it. The other two Omega-3’s are often also considered to be essential by many experts, but they are “conditionally essential” because ALA can be converted into EPA and DHA.
The problem is that our bodies’ ability to convert ALA into EPA is typically only about 10% (depending on what study you look at), and our ability to convert  EPA into DHA is only about 1% of that initial 10%!

Love Your Liver

Additionally, this conversion occurs in the liver, and only works if your liver is functioning optimally.
Since we live in a world that we humans have filled with pollution, most people’s livers are dealing with a total crisis of contamination, so this conversion is likely even less!

DHA and Your Brain


As you will read, these fatty acids are very important for brain health, but because we technically can convert ALA into DHA and EPA, there is no officially set recommended daily intake.
In this article, we will talk about what these fatty acids do, how much to take, and some easy ways that we can supply these nutrients.

Why is DHA so special?

DHA is the rarest needed fat that we find in foods, and it is the final stage of the conversion process that Omega-3’s undergo in our bodies. If we can get an optimal amount from diet and/or supplementation, then it takes the pressure off our liver to convert other omega-3’s into DHA.
Much of the research on Omega-3’s show DHA specifically to have the most beneficial effects on memory, and brain health. In the Chicago study (1), a strong neuroprotective effect was observed with DHA that was not seen to the same degree with EPA.
Several studies have also shown that people with Alzheimer’s have severely low levels of DHA in key areas of the brain related to memory formation like the hippocampus (2)(3).

In another study at Rotterdam (4), it was discovered that eating even one meal per week that included fatty fish like salmon could reduce the incidence of cognitive decline and dementia by up to 60%!
DHA also helps improve cognitive abilities in aging rats who do not have a neurodegenerative disease (5). Other studies show DHA improving cognitive abilities, and learning in healthy young rats as well (6) which means that you do not have to be sick to get better from using DHA!
Many of these health benefits come from the antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of DHA shown in the image below. However, many of the brain benefits, as you will soon see, come from the fact that it is a crucial structural component of the brain itself.

The next crucial piece of this omega-3 puzzle lies in fetal brain development and the first few years of our lives which are some of the most formative years for our brains and neurons.
I have often stated the importance of healthy fats because our brains are about 60% fat. I also like to remind everyone that our brains consume about 25% of our total energy and nutrition even though our brains make up only a small part of our body mass.
When we are in the womb, this energy consumption goes up to 70%! Almost all of our energy resources go to building our brain and nervous system when we are a fetus, and DHA is a crucial part of this building process.

Our Brain and Our Eyes

DHA makes up about 30% of our brain matter and approximately 50% of the retinal structure in our eyes. Adding DHA to your diet not only increases cognitive function, but it also increased visual acuity in developing humans and animals (7).
As if this were not enough of a reason to make sure you are getting enough DHA in your diet, another study found that babies born with neurological problems had low levels of DHA, and other important fatty acids, and had elevated levels of trans fats in their brains (8).

Avoid Trans Fats and Get DHA

Humans are basically just grown up babies which is why we recommend avoiding trans fats and other inflammatory fats, and adding in anti-inflammatory fats like DHA and EPA into your diet. DHA reduces inflammation by reducing the expression of Nf-kB (Nuclear factor kappa-beta) among many other anti-inflammatory actions shown in the image below.
Nf-kB is an inflammatory marker in our bodies that we can measure that can generally show us how much inflammation or oxidative stress is occurring in out bodies.

How Big of a Problem is This?

What’s pretty scary is that we in the United States have an imbalance of fats in our diets that is reaching epidemiological proportions. It is recommended that we eat a 1:1 ratio or at most a 1:2 ratio of omega-3 fatty acid to Omega-6 fatty acid.
However, the average American eats between 1:16 and 1:36 ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6. Many of us are eating too many fried foods that are cooked in rancid (oxidized) Omega-6 oils like vegetable oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, and other common polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA’s).
In order for our bodies to properly metabolize these fats, we need a balance of them in pretty even ratios.
Some oils like olive oil are naturally in a healthy balance of Omega-3 to Omega-6, while oils like vegetable oil (which are not actually made from vegetables, but from the seeds of grasses) are almost entirely Omega-6 fatty acids.

Ventresca Tuna Bellies from Vital Choice: 3550 mg total omega-3’s per 1/2 can: 
EPA 840 mg • DHA 2430 mg

How Much is Enough?

The American Heart Association says that we should eat two or more servings (3.5 oz.) of fatty fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, etc. in order to support cardiovascular health, but a dietary survey of shows that most Americans eat half that amount or less.
According to one dietary study (9), most Americans get a dose of combined EPA and DHA equalling 100-200mg per day while many experts recommend getting at least 650mg (combined EPA/DHA) per day, and I like my intake to be at least 500mg of DHA a day. More is even more beneficial as “Supplemental intakes of EPA and DHA combined at doses up to 5 g/day… do not raise safety concerns for adults.” CITE

What About Vegan Sources?

ALA can be found in many vegetarian and vegan sources like flax, hemp, and chia seeds while EPA and DHA (the important conditionally essential fatty acids) are primarily found in animal foods like fatty fish and eggs.
If you are a vegan, then I highly recommend supplementing EPA and DHA. Luckily, there is one vegan source of EPA and DHA that is cold-pressed from algae. You can find our favorite vegan omega-3 supplement (including EPA and DHA) by clicking on the image below.

This is our favorite salmon supplier: Vital Choice

What If You Are Deficient in Omega-3’s?

Bear in mind that this recommendation is if you are healthy, and not deficient in Omega-3’s! You may require far more under certain circumstances. 
In addition to supporting a healthy brain, Omega-3’s have also been shown to have beneficial effects on obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular health (10).

A National Health Crisis

When we combine all of this data, we can clearly see that EPA and DHA are much more essential than we once thought, and that most people in the U.S. are not getting enough which is leading to a lot of complications.
There was a study done at Harvard that was funded by the Center for Disease Control. It was estimated that approximately 96,000 deaths every year were caused by diseases related to omega-3 deficiency (mainly cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disease)!

Food First, Supplement Second

In our opinion getting these nutrients from your diet is the best option because there are other amazing nutrients found wrapped up in food sources of Omega-3’s that you will not get with a supplement.
However, if you live on the go like most of us, or cannot eat fatty fish, and/or eggs for some reason, then we highly recommend getting a supplement just to cover all of your bases. Below are some of the suppliers we love for fish, and fish oil.

Vital Choice and JJ Virgin

We have taken great care to select only the highest quality fish products from pristine fisheries with very low contamination from toxins that are all too common in your average store bought fish.
We also choose companies that fish sustainably in order protect our environment from further degradation. All of the fish oils we recommend are molecularly distilled to remove neurotoxins like mercury, and are held to international quality standards that are validated by third party laboratories.
You can learn more about the product that I.

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega
Protect & Restore High DHA Omega-3s

FDA Compliance

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.


Citations:

(1) Morris MC, Evans DA, Bienias JL, et al. Consumption of fish and omega-3 fatty acids and risk of incident Alzheimer disease. Arch Neurol. 2003 Jul;60(7):940-6.
(2) Soderberg M, Edlund C, Kristensson K, Dallner G. Fatty acid composition of brain phospholipids in aging and in Alzheimer’s disease. Lipids. 1991 Jun;26(6):421-5.
(3)  Prasad MR, Lovell MA, Yatin M, Dhillon H, Markesbery WR. Regional membrane phospholipid alterations in Alzheimer’s disease. Neurochem Res. 1998 Jan;23(1):81-8.
(4) Kalmijn S, Launer LJ, Ott A, Witteman JC, Hofman A, Breteler MM. Dietary fat intake and the risk of incident dementia in the Rotterdam Study. Ann Neurol. 1997 Nov;42(5):776-82.
(5) Morris MC, Evans DA, Tangney CC, Bienias JL, Wilson RS. Fish consumption and cognitive decline with age in a large community study. Arch Neurol.2005 Dec;62(12):1849-53.
(6) Gamoh S, Hashimoto M, Sugioka K, et al. Chronic administration of docosahexaenoic acid improves reference memory-related learning ability in young rats. Neuroscience. 1999;93(1):237-41.
(7) McCann JC, Ames BN. Is docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, required for development of normal brain function? An overview of evidence from cognitive and behavioral tests in humans and animals. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Aug;82(2):281-95.
(8) Dijck-Brouwer DA, Hadders-Algra M, Bouwstra H, et al. Lower fetal status of docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid and essential fatty acids is associated with less favorable neonatal neurological condition. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2005 Jan;72(1):21-8.
(9) Kris-Etherton PM, Taylor DS, Yu-Poth S, et al. Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the food chain in the United States. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Jan;71(1 Suppl):179S-88S.
(10) Lorente-Cebrián S, Costa AG, Navas-Carretero S, Zabala M, Martínez JA, Moreno-Aliaga MJ. Role of omega-3 fatty acids in obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases: a review of the evidence. J Physiol Biochem. 2013. Jun 22.

Tags:DHAfish oilomegaplasticitysynaptogenesis
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Zach Nasr
Zach was on his way to being a doctor when a personal health crisis changed all of that. He decided that he wanted to create wellness instead of fight illness. He lost over a 100 lbs through functional nutrition and other natural healing protocols. He has since been sharing his knowledge of nutrition and functional medicine for the last 12 years as a health coach and health educator.

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    Comments

  1. Randy Hunt
    October 20, 2018

    Thank you Zach.
    I met Zach at our local fresh food market about a week ago. Zach was busy but stopped what he was doing to spend some time educating me on proper nutrition and specifics in regard to meeting my goals. Appreciate you spending the time with me. I look forward to being healthier.

    Reply
    • Cavin Balaster
      November 28, 2018

      Awesome, Randy!

      Zach knows his stuff!

      Reply
  2. MJ Raichyk, PhD Mathematician & Decision Analyst
    February 19, 2019

    Dr Perlmutter apparently had been looking through the data on the BlueZone cultures [ those people are not only more likely to pass 90 years old — over 30% likely — but they are vigorously healthy -vs- a dozen prescriptions and decrepit like in western medicine land] … Perlmutter commented that the average intake of olive oil [evo] was an astounding PINT PER WEEK PER PERSON… that’s about 1oz/meal x2meals per day… and that would amount to a LOT of omega 3… about 400mg/day [courtesy of wikipedia]…. the rest of their diet was lots of veggies and fish, [other meat varied by locale] whether they were mediteranean, central american, or far east… and to cap off the commonalities, i’ll point out — since no one else will — that they all lived in climates that were under 1000 heating degree days per year, even the 7th Day Adventists are predominately southern USA…. not like Ohio’s 5000 HDD per year.. so who knows how many oz/day you’d need in northern climates… more fuel needed in the cold, just ask any stray cat in our naturopathic rescue work, lol… ttyl

    Reply
    • Cavin Balaster
      March 21, 2019

      You’re awesome, MJ! As always, thank you for your brilliant contributions!

      Reply

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The very basic concept of good nutrition among all the conflicting advertisements and various “new”

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- T. Davis

My dog was too literal

“Fine book but grossly misunderstood by dog. She ate the pages & her brain is fine. This speaks to the virtue of book’s content.”

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- Lia Kass

Well written, educational, and promotes positive lifestyle changes that can be made today!

“Cavin’s personal experience and humble writing to help educate, not only people who have suffered brain injuries, but anyone interested in the best nutritional advice for optimum brain function is a great introduction to proper nutrition filled with many recommendations of how you can make a changes to your diet immediately. This book provides amazing personal insight related to Cavin’s recovery accompanied with well cited peer reviewed sources throughout the entire book detailing the most recent findings around functional neurology!

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about nutrition and how it can impact brain function! As well as anyone willing to challenge themselves TODAY with the recommendations throughout this book!”

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- Andrew Ritter

Great Resource-brain injury not required

“Cavin Balaster knows brain injury as well as any specialist. He survived a horrific accident and came out on the other side stronger than ever. His book, “How To Feed A Brain” details how changing his diet helped him to recover further from the devastating symptoms of brain injury such as fatigue and brain fog. Cavin is able to thoroughly explain complex issues in a simplified manner so the reader does not need a medical degree to understand. The book also includes comprehensive charts to simplify what the body needs and how to provide the necessary foods. “How To Feed A Brain” is a great resource for anyone looking to improve their health through diet, brain injury not required.”

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- Amazon Customer

Highly Recommended!

What an incredible journey for Cavin, from a predicted vegetative state, to an author and teacher, informing us how to
feed our brains to optimize our lives. Very informative book and well organized , and written so it is understandable. Love the charts. Thank you Cavin and thanks to your Mother who didn’t give up.

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- Gigi

He delivers the information in an easy to read manner

“Cavin’s enthusiasm and drive to help those who need it is unparalleled! He delivers the information in an easy to read manner, no PhD required from the reader. 🙂 Having lived through such trauma himself he has real empathy for other survivors and it shows in the writing. This is a great read for anyone who wants to increase the health of their brain, injury or otherwise! Read it!!!”

View on Amazon

- Delanee

Beautiful inspiring story about relearning how to live after a traumatic experience

“Amazing book and extremely inspiring story. The author is a close friend of mine and we were reunited later in life due to traumatic life experiences. Truly demonstrates the beauty and nature of the human body and the ability to bounce back. If I could rate this 6 stars I would!!!!”

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- Sammy Morrison

I wish I had this book when I suffered my…

“I wish I had this book when I suffered my TBIs 10 years ago, but never too late. Thank Cavin!”

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- SMack

Excellent book if you want to be vibrant

“Excellent book if you want to be vibrant!!!! Everything you need to know to achieve excellent health overalll….not just your brain! The author’s amazing story from tragedy to good health really inspires me.”

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- Opinions on Everything

Worth the read

“Cavin Balaster is an amazing man with an amazing story. He is an inspiration and his book is a good resource for everyone who has a brain.”

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- T.

An absolute must for autoimmune sufferers!

“I bought this book because I didn’t want a weightloss diet, but I wanted the most optimal gut/brain food I could find to help with an autoimmune. I subscribe to Cavin’s podcast and another newsletter for gut health which also recommended this book. Also, he’s a personal friend of mine who’s recovery I have witnessed firsthand. Thank you so much for all of the research and your continued dedication to not only help yourself, but for also helping others!”

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- Lauren L. Chemin

We can take care of our brains

“I am nearly four years out from my traumatic brain injury and I have been through 100’s of hours of rehabilitation therapy. I have been surprised by how little attention is given to adequate nutrition for recovering from TBI. I’m always looking for further opportunities to recover and so this book fell into the right hands. Cavin outlines the science and reasoning behind the diet he suggests, but the real power in this book comes when he writes, “WE.” WE can give our brains proper nutrition. Now I’m excited to drink smoothies and eat breakfasts that look like dinners! I will recommend this book to my friends.

(I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)”

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- Rachel J.

This book is a wonderful.

“This book is a wonderful, motivating reference for anyone who wants a healthy and sharp brain at any age.”

View on Amazon

- Ammon B.

Relentlessly focused examination of TBI and nutrition’s affect on the brain

“Cavin’s journey is such an incredible one. He is singularly focused on examining everything he can about TBI (traumatic brain injury) and relentlessly pursues information about everything that affects the brain, particularly nutrition. If you have a loved one that has survived TBI, this book is a must read.”

View on Amazon

- Patrick R.

Very informative

“I enjoyed this book. It was full of practical information. It was easy to understand. I implemented some of the ideas in the book and they have made a positive impact for me. Not only is this book a wealth of knowledge it helps you think outside the box and piece together other ideas to research and helps you understand more about TBI and the way food might help you mitigate symptoms.”

View on Amazon

- Dixie

Feed your brain – read this book

“The author’s story alone is a remarkable account of not just survival, but transcendence of a near-death experience. Cavin went on to become an advocate for survival and survivors of traumatic brain injuries, discovering along the way the key role played by nutrition. But this book is not just for injury survivors. It is for anyone who wants to live (and eat) well.”

View on Amazon

- David L. Butler

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"...an easy-to-implement road map of nutritional changes to support your brain function and repair." -Dr. Mark Hyman, MD

Feed a Brain (Cavin Balaster)

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May 24

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Vitamin C: Blackberries are a good source of vitamin C, which supports the immune system, promotes collagen production, and acts as an antioxidant.

Vitamin K: Blackberries provide vitamin K, which plays a role in blood clotting and bone health.

Fiber: Blackberries are rich in dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and promotes satiety.

Manganese: Blackberries contain manganese, an essential mineral involved in metabolism, bone development, and antioxidant defense.

Vitamin E: Blackberries contain vitamin E, which functions as an antioxidant and helps protect cells from damage.

Anthocyanins: These are a type of antioxidant pigment found in blackberries that give them their deep purple color. Anthocyanins have been linked to numerous health benefits, including reducing inflammation and protecting against chronic diseases.

Flavonoids: Blackberries are rich in flavonoids, such as quercetin and kaempferol, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Ellagic acid: Blackberries contain ellagic acid, a phytochemical that may have anticancer properties and contribute to heart health.

Potassium: Blackberries provide potassium, an electrolyte that helps regulate blood pressure and support proper muscle and nerve function.

Antioxidants: Blackberries are a rich source of antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals and oxidative stress.

#Blackberry. #nutrition. #brainhealth  #Feedabrain

Vitamin C: Blackberries are a good source of vitamin C, which supports the immune system, promotes collagen production, and acts as an antioxidant.

Vitamin K: Blackberries provide vitamin K, which plays a role in blood clotting and bone health.

Fiber: Blackberries are rich in dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and promotes satiety.

Manganese: Blackberries contain manganese, an essential mineral involved in metabolism, bone development, and antioxidant defense.

Vitamin E: Blackberries contain vitamin E, which functions as an antioxidant and helps protect cells from damage.

Anthocyanins: These are a type of antioxidant pigment found in blackberries that give them their deep purple color. Anthocyanins have been linked to numerous health benefits, including reducing inflammation and protecting against chronic diseases.

Flavonoids: Blackberries are rich in flavonoids, such as quercetin and kaempferol, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Ellagic acid: Blackberries contain ellagic acid, a phytochemical that may have anticancer properties and contribute to heart health.

Potassium: Blackberries provide potassium, an electrolyte that helps regulate blood pressure and support proper muscle and nerve function.

Antioxidants: Blackberries are a rich source of antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals and oxidative stress.

#Blackberry. #nutrition. #brainhealth #Feedabrain
...

5 0

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May 23

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👌 Steak tartare with black radish, horseradish and golden beets…

topped with a poached egg 🥚, local grass fed smokehouse beef sausage 🐄, and flash sautéed asparagus…

topped with lemon zest 🍋 and served with local pasture raised cured pork jowl (guanciale) 🐖 on a bed of watercress micro greens 🌿 

#eats #tartare #gianciale #feedabrain

👌 Steak tartare with black radish, horseradish and golden beets…

topped with a poached egg 🥚, local grass fed smokehouse beef sausage 🐄, and flash sautéed asparagus…

topped with lemon zest 🍋 and served with local pasture raised cured pork jowl (guanciale) 🐖 on a bed of watercress micro greens 🌿

#eats #tartare #gianciale #feedabrain
...

7 0

feedabrain

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May 19

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I don't know about you, but I love artichokes...

.Give this a try. It is a classic Italian recipe that features artichokes called "Carciofi alla Romana" or Roman-style artichokes.

Ingredients:

4 medium-sized artichokes
1 lemon, sliced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup vegetable broth (or water)
Instructions:

Start by trimming the artichokes. Remove the tough outer leaves, cut off the top third of each artichoke, and trim the stem.

Rub the cut parts with lemon slices to prevent browning.

In a bowl, combine minced garlic, parsley, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Gently spread open the artichoke leaves and stuff the garlic mixture between the leaves of each artichoke.

Place the stuffed artichokes upright in a deep saucepan or Dutch oven.

Add vegetable broth (or water) to the pan until it reaches about halfway up the artichokes.

Cover the pan and simmer over low heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the artichokes are tender.
You can check for doneness by inserting a knife into the base of an artichoke; it should go in easily.

Once cooked, remove the artichokes from the pan and let them cool slightly.

Serve them warm or at room temperature, drizzling some of the cooking liquid and extra olive oil over the top.

Carciofi alla Romana can be enjoyed as a standalone appetizer or served alongside grilled meats, roasted potatoes, or a fresh salad.

This traditional Italian recipe captures the flavors of artichokes, garlic, and parsley, resulting in a delicious and tender dish that highlights the natural goodness of artichokes.

#Artichokes #nutrition. #FAB. #Brainhealth #Feedabrain.

I don`t know about you, but I love artichokes...

.Give this a try. It is a classic Italian recipe that features artichokes called "Carciofi alla Romana" or Roman-style artichokes.

Ingredients:

4 medium-sized artichokes
1 lemon, sliced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup vegetable broth (or water)
Instructions:

Start by trimming the artichokes. Remove the tough outer leaves, cut off the top third of each artichoke, and trim the stem.

Rub the cut parts with lemon slices to prevent browning.

In a bowl, combine minced garlic, parsley, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Gently spread open the artichoke leaves and stuff the garlic mixture between the leaves of each artichoke.

Place the stuffed artichokes upright in a deep saucepan or Dutch oven.

Add vegetable broth (or water) to the pan until it reaches about halfway up the artichokes.

Cover the pan and simmer over low heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the artichokes are tender.
You can check for doneness by inserting a knife into the base of an artichoke; it should go in easily.

Once cooked, remove the artichokes from the pan and let them cool slightly.

Serve them warm or at room temperature, drizzling some of the cooking liquid and extra olive oil over the top.

Carciofi alla Romana can be enjoyed as a standalone appetizer or served alongside grilled meats, roasted potatoes, or a fresh salad.

This traditional Italian recipe captures the flavors of artichokes, garlic, and parsley, resulting in a delicious and tender dish that highlights the natural goodness of artichokes.

#Artichokes #nutrition. #FAB. #Brainhealth #Feedabrain.
...

7 0

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May 17

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Raw food Feed a Brain style!
.
Raw ahi tuna. 🍣
Raw asparagus. 
Raw arugula. 🌿
Raw radicchio.
Raw ginger.
Raw horseradish.
Raw turmeric.
Raw kimchi.
Raw lemon juice. 🍋.
Olive oil.
Real salt.
.
#raw #paleo #keto #eats #feedabrain #digestion #gutbrain

Raw food Feed a Brain style!
.
Raw ahi tuna. 🍣
Raw asparagus.
Raw arugula. 🌿
Raw radicchio.
Raw ginger.
Raw horseradish.
Raw turmeric.
Raw kimchi.
Raw lemon juice. 🍋.
Olive oil.
Real salt.
.
#raw #paleo #keto #eats #feedabrain #digestion #gutbrain
...

8 0

feedabrain

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May 16

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Dandelions are powerful.

They can protect against oxidative stress and reduce inflammation in the body.
Their antioxidants support nerve and muscle function, blood pressure regulation, and bone health.

Inulin is a prebiotic fiber that promotes the growth of healthy gut bacteria and supports digestion.

They have traditionally been used in herbal medicine to support liver and kidney function, which can help to detoxify the body and promote overall health.

They may be used in many different ways from tea to soups and stews.

Dandelion Pesto

Ingredients:
2 cups dandelion greens, packed
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 cup parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
3 cloves garlic, peeled
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Wash and dry the dandelion greens and basil leaves.
Toast the nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly browned, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
In a food processor, combine the dandelion greens, basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, nuts, and garlic.
Pulse until finely chopped.
With the food processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth and creamy.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve over pasta, on sandwiches, or as a dip for crackers or veggies. Enjoy!

#nutrition. #FAB #Dandelion #feedabrain

Dandelions are powerful.

They can protect against oxidative stress and reduce inflammation in the body.
Their antioxidants support nerve and muscle function, blood pressure regulation, and bone health.

Inulin is a prebiotic fiber that promotes the growth of healthy gut bacteria and supports digestion.

They have traditionally been used in herbal medicine to support liver and kidney function, which can help to detoxify the body and promote overall health.

They may be used in many different ways from tea to soups and stews.

Dandelion Pesto

Ingredients:
2 cups dandelion greens, packed
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 cup parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
3 cloves garlic, peeled
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Wash and dry the dandelion greens and basil leaves.
Toast the nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly browned, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
In a food processor, combine the dandelion greens, basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, nuts, and garlic.
Pulse until finely chopped.
With the food processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth and creamy.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve over pasta, on sandwiches, or as a dip for crackers or veggies. Enjoy!

#nutrition. #FAB #Dandelion #feedabrain
...

4 1

feedabrain

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May 10

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Ingredients:

4 cups fresh blueberries
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a mixing bowl, stir together blueberries and honey.
Pour the blueberry mixture into a 9-inch baking dish.
In a separate mixing bowl, stir together almond flour, coconut flour, melted coconut oil, cinnamon, and salt.
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the blueberries.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the blueberries are bubbling.
Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

#Paleo. #Blueberries #Brainfood #Feedabrain. #nutrition

Ingredients:

4 cups fresh blueberries
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a mixing bowl, stir together blueberries and honey.
Pour the blueberry mixture into a 9-inch baking dish.
In a separate mixing bowl, stir together almond flour, coconut flour, melted coconut oil, cinnamon, and salt.
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the blueberries.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the blueberries are bubbling.
Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

#Paleo. #Blueberries #Brainfood #Feedabrain. #nutrition
...

3 0

feedabrain

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May 10

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Blueberries are a low-calorie fruit that are high in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese.

 They are also rich in antioxidants, which can protect the brain from oxidative stress and inflammation. 

Studies have shown that consuming blueberries can improve cognitive performance, enhance brain plasticity, and possibly even have mood-enhancing effects. 

Therefore, incorporating blueberries into your diet on a regular basis may provide numerous health benefits, particularly for brain health.

#Blueberries. #feedabrain  #brainhealth  #nutrition

Blueberries are a low-calorie fruit that are high in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese.

They are also rich in antioxidants, which can protect the brain from oxidative stress and inflammation.

Studies have shown that consuming blueberries can improve cognitive performance, enhance brain plasticity, and possibly even have mood-enhancing effects.

Therefore, incorporating blueberries into your diet on a regular basis may provide numerous health benefits, particularly for brain health.

#Blueberries. #feedabrain #brainhealth #nutrition
...

6 0

feedabrain

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May 9

Open
Fats and oils are so important for our brains!

Knowing what fats are healthy to consume can be tricky. Depending on the type, fat can be either an important nutrient to support brain health or it can be harmful. And the deciding factors have little to do with whether the fat is saturated or unsaturated. 

High-quality, natural, and healthy fat is important brain-building nutrition!

Yet the prevailing nutritional recommendations of the past few decades limit fats drastically! These are the same nutritional recommendations that may have guided 60% of Americans to be “overweight,” and have likely been large contributors to the fact that the U.S. now consists of about 30% of the world’s obese population!

The perception of fat being the number one culprit of poor health in the USA has not only failed to reduce our weight, but this perception has also failed to reduce the number of heart attacks, strokes, cases of diabetes, insulin sensitivity, autism, Alzheimer’s, and other mental and chronic diseases.

Remember, over 60% of the weight of the dry matter of the human brain is lipid (fatty acids), and most of these fatty acids are AA (arachidonic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). And both of these fatty acids are found in animal fats.

For your convenience, we have created a “Guide to Fats and Oils” handout for you to tack on your fridge and/or to share with your healthcare team. (go to the link on my profile). https://feedabrain.com/link

#brainhealth #tbi #brainfood #keto #epilepsy #fatforhealth #neuroprotection #feedabrain  #brainfood #functionalnutrition

Fats and oils are so important for our brains!

Knowing what fats are healthy to consume can be tricky. Depending on the type, fat can be either an important nutrient to support brain health or it can be harmful. And the deciding factors have little to do with whether the fat is saturated or unsaturated.

High-quality, natural, and healthy fat is important brain-building nutrition!

Yet the prevailing nutritional recommendations of the past few decades limit fats drastically! These are the same nutritional recommendations that may have guided 60% of Americans to be “overweight,” and have likely been large contributors to the fact that the U.S. now consists of about 30% of the world’s obese population!

The perception of fat being the number one culprit of poor health in the USA has not only failed to reduce our weight, but this perception has also failed to reduce the number of heart attacks, strokes, cases of diabetes, insulin sensitivity, autism, Alzheimer’s, and other mental and chronic diseases.

Remember, over 60% of the weight of the dry matter of the human brain is lipid (fatty acids), and most of these fatty acids are AA (arachidonic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). And both of these fatty acids are found in animal fats.

For your convenience, we have created a “Guide to Fats and Oils” handout for you to tack on your fridge and/or to share with your healthcare team. (go to the link on my profile). https://feedabrain.com/link

#brainhealth #tbi #brainfood #keto #epilepsy #fatforhealth #neuroprotection #feedabrain #brainfood #functionalnutrition
...

4 0

feedabrain

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Apr 29

Open
How to Prepare

Boil a pot of water

Cook cleaned fiddleheads in boiling water until tender 7-10 minutes

Drain

Mince 4  cloves of garlic

Saute drained cooked fiddleheads and garlic in olive oil until the fiddleheads are lightly browned.

Plate and serve with fresh squeezed lemon.

#Feedabrain. #EATS.  #fiddleheads  #brainhealthrecovery

How to Prepare

Boil a pot of water

Cook cleaned fiddleheads in boiling water until tender 7-10 minutes

Drain

Mince 4 cloves of garlic

Saute drained cooked fiddleheads and garlic in olive oil until the fiddleheads are lightly browned.

Plate and serve with fresh squeezed lemon.

#Feedabrain. #EATS. #fiddleheads #brainhealthrecovery
...

6 2

feedabrain

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Apr 26

Open
By now, you probably know a thing or two about how important gut health is to brain health. I remember when I was first learning about this connection, each new discovery blew my mind!

... but in that way that's like, "oh... that makes so much sense!"

Do you realize that the number of neurons that are in our guts are comprable to the number of neurons in our spine! Maybe that's why we experience gut feelings, butterflies in the stomach, and sometimes things are so emotionally challenging that they are "gut-wrenching."

And... as I point out in my book, How To Feed a Brain, "about 90 percent of the body’s total serotonin and at least 70 percent of its melatonin is found in the gut!"

I'm excited to explore this topic with my friend, mentor, and colleague, Steven Wright.

Steve is a digestion expert, Medical Engineer, and Kalish Functional Medicine Institute Graduate. He’s spent close to $400,000 overcoming his own health challenges using everything from Western medicine to shamans.

He and I started connecting back in 2014 and we ended up working on some projects together, including a leaky gut healing program and an article on low stomach acid.

Now, Steve is the founder of healthygut.com. 

Importance of Digestion to Healing:
If our digestion isn't healthy, even if we are eating important brain nutrients, those nutrients are not making it to the brain!

I think of it like this:
Many connections in my brain have been damaged, and I think of rebuilding those connections like building a bridge. What do we need to build a bridge?

We need quality supplies (Brain building nutrition)
We need skilled workers (Targeted therapy)
We need to get that supplies to the construction site (Digestion)

And this applies to anywhere in our organism (not just our brain): If our digestion isn't healthy, even if we are eating excellent nutrition, the nutrients are not making it to where the healing is needed!

So take the 2 min digestion quiz on Steve's site and send any questions or comments. I'd love to hear what's on your mind and to support you in taking control of your health!

Links:
Take the 2 min digestion quiz at https://feedabrain.com/gut-quiz

Hope to see you there!

By now, you probably know a thing or two about how important gut health is to brain health. I remember when I was first learning about this connection, each new discovery blew my mind!

... but in that way that`s like, "oh... that makes so much sense!"

Do you realize that the number of neurons that are in our guts are comprable to the number of neurons in our spine! Maybe that`s why we experience gut feelings, butterflies in the stomach, and sometimes things are so emotionally challenging that they are "gut-wrenching."

And... as I point out in my book, How To Feed a Brain, "about 90 percent of the body’s total serotonin and at least 70 percent of its melatonin is found in the gut!"

I`m excited to explore this topic with my friend, mentor, and colleague, Steven Wright.

Steve is a digestion expert, Medical Engineer, and Kalish Functional Medicine Institute Graduate. He’s spent close to $400,000 overcoming his own health challenges using everything from Western medicine to shamans.

He and I started connecting back in 2014 and we ended up working on some projects together, including a leaky gut healing program and an article on low stomach acid.

Now, Steve is the founder of healthygut.com.

Importance of Digestion to Healing:
If our digestion isn`t healthy, even if we are eating important brain nutrients, those nutrients are not making it to the brain!

I think of it like this:
Many connections in my brain have been damaged, and I think of rebuilding those connections like building a bridge. What do we need to build a bridge?

We need quality supplies (Brain building nutrition)
We need skilled workers (Targeted therapy)
We need to get that supplies to the construction site (Digestion)

And this applies to anywhere in our organism (not just our brain): If our digestion isn`t healthy, even if we are eating excellent nutrition, the nutrients are not making it to where the healing is needed!

So take the 2 min digestion quiz on Steve`s site and send any questions or comments. I`d love to hear what`s on your mind and to support you in taking control of your health!

Links:
Take the 2 min digestion quiz at https://feedabrain.com/gut-quiz

Hope to see you there!
...

3 0
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Terms and Conditions: The content and products found at feedabrain.com, adventuresinbraininjury.com, the Adventures in Brain Injury Podcast, or provided by Cavin Balaster or others on the Feed a Brain team is intended for informational purposes only and is not provided by medical professionals. The information on this website has not been evaluated by the food & drug administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. Readers/listeners/viewers should not act upon any information provided on this website or affiliated websites without seeking advice from a licensed physician, especially if pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or suffering from a medical condition. This website is not intended to create a physician-patient relationship.

If you happen to purchase anything recommended on this or affiliated websites, we will likely receive some kind of affiliate compensation. We only recommend stuff that we truly believe in and share with our friends and family. If you ever have an issue with anything we recommend please let us know. We want to make sure we are always serving you at the highest level. If you are purchasing using our affiliate link, you will not pay a different price for the products and/or services, but your purchase helps support our ongoing work. Thanks for your support!

Trademark Notice:
The term Feed a Brain™ is a trademark of Feed a Brain. Whenever the term “Feed a Brain” is used on this or affiliated websites, it is referring to the Feed a Brain™ brand.

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