Good fats, bad-fats and brain function. Stay off the trans-fats in the new-year!

We all know that bad fats make you fat; but they also impact on the way you think, feel and behave! The brain is an organ made of fat, so supplying the amount of good fats, while banning the baddies, will ensure it has the building blocks to branch-out!

104 Elderly patients were assessed with MRI scans to analyse the relationship between various nutrients and brain health.

In these 104 individuals (mean age was 87) years high plasma levels of B-vitamins B (B1, B2, B6, folate, and B12), and antioxidants (C, D, and E) were associated with better cognition, and less brain-shrinking with age! Diets high in marine ω-3 fatty acids were also beneficial.
Trans fat was associated with lower cognitive abilities and less total cerebral brain volume – they grow your belly but shrink your brain!

Bigger brains can be supported with oily fish and b-vitamins (vegetables, dairy, and lean meats).

Eat a good balance of fats and maintain a good micronutrient intake with food. In times of stress and limited time, you may benefit from a multivitamin or powdered greens to compensate for shortfalls in your diet…

http://www.yoursportsnutrition.com/health/vitamins.html

http://www.yoursportsnutrition.com/health/green-drinks.html

Bowman GL, Silbert LC, Howieson D, Dodge HH, Traber MG, Frei B, Kaye JA, Shannon J, Quinn JF.
Nutrient biomarker patterns, cognitive function, and MRI measures of brain aging.
Neurology, (2011) [Epub ahead of print]