Sharpening the mind: The best foods for the brain

There are various reasons for people to be watchful of their dietary intake, with most of them citing weight management as the primary reason for doing so. But it is also important to understand that mental health is as important as physical health. The brain requires certain nutrients to ensure that the wellness of the brain is optimized and odds of developing mental illnesses are minimized.
Some of the nutrients the brain needs are the following:

Antioxidants
One of the major causes of brain deterioration is free radicals, as the oxidative damage it generates can not only produce cancer and other diseases, but it also quickens aging. There are many sources of antioxidants, such as nuts, tomatoes, dark red and purple fruits, such as blueberries and blackcurrant, cruciferous vegetables, such as kale, and even wine or champagne.

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Essential fatty acids
There are many essential fatty acids (EFA) that enhance brain health. One of the most effective of which are omega-3 fats that are naturally produced by sardines, salmon, mackerel, trout, and other oily fish. Ground flaxseed, soya beans, and pumpkin seeds are also good sources of EFA, including alpha-linolenic acid.

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B vitamins
B vitamins are called “happy vitamins” or “anti-stress vitamins” for a good reason. B6, B12, and folic acids are known to improve one’s moods, increase stress resilience, and prevent mental illnesses. Leafy greens, chicken, egg, particularly the yolk, whole grains, and lentils are rich sources of different types of vitamin B.

Curtis Cripe, Ph.D. is the director of research and development of NTLgroup®. The firm specializes in the development and implementation of neuroengineering programs that aim to improve brain health and heal and repair neurological disorders. Find out more about the company by visiting its official website.

Augmenting Cognitive Neurodevelopmental Training With a Lens Unit

LENS (Low Energy Neurofeedback System) is a form of brainwave biofeedback that was developed in the early ‘90s by Northern California psychologist Len Ochs.  The system was an alternative to medications that were used to treat brain-based problems.  It was also used to supplement psychotherapy.

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Prior to the creation of LENS, traditional neurofeedback needed the participant to actively attempt to understand the feedback shown to him and try to regulate his own brainwaves.  But with the groundbreaking neurofeedback system in its stead, the participant will only need to sit comfortably in front of the equipment consisting of a computer with installed LENS software and an electroencephalogram (EEG) box.

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Electrodes with conductive paste are attached to the scalp to measure brainwave activity and deliver treatment at the same time.  What results is a more efficient – in terms of both time and money – and painless procedure for treating brain-based problems.

LENS has been effective as an adjunct to cognitive neurodevelopmental training, as evidenced by a study by Dr. Curtis Cripe.  Patients with autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and mild head injuries were treated with specific procedures that were augmented with a LENS unit.

The study illustrated that LENS training, due to its facilitative effects, enabled the patients to engage actively in neurocognitive and neuro-rehabilitation exercises, which accelerated their progress, reduced treatment time, and allowed them to regain normal functioning of the brain systems.

 

Neuroengineer Curtis Cripe, Ph.D., boasts of a diverse multidisciplinary professional and academic background, having worked in different industries, including aerospace, engineering, software development, bioengineering, addiction recovery, psychophysiology, psychology, and child neurodevelopment.  For more on his career, visit this LinkedIn profile.