Boost Your Brain Power with Healthy Foods- Part 2

As discussed last time, everyone wants to boost their brain power, retard brain age, avoid dementia and Alzheimer's disease, as well as all the chronic diseases of our modern times.

We discussed 3 principles last time: 1) Detoxifying your Body; 2) Being aware of "Alarm Foods" and 3) Seeking out Omega 3s and Increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables.

The next 4 basic, flexible principles are guidelines that will continue to put you on a continuum, moving toward a plant-based diet that's low in calories and high in nutrient-dense organic foods.  This program is a foundation for you to build on as you strive for the best possible health.

4) Go Organic and Steer Clear of GMOs

Pesticides may be a contributing factor in a long list of diseases-including Parkinson's, leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and several forms of cancer-and they may be hazardous to the developing immune and nervous systems of small children.

Some research shows that from a nutritional standpoint, organically grown food is higher in many minerals than conventional food. Less is known about the health effects of GMOs - no long-term studies of genetically engineered (GE) foods have been conducted on humans.

The new organic-food laws should make buying organic less of a guessing game. And while it's difficult to completely avoid GMOs - nearly 70 percent of product, on U.S. grocery-store shelves contain some GMO ingredients - its critical to look for "GMO free" labels in health-food stores and on package labeling.

5) Discover Juicing

Many fruits and vegetables, when juiced using a juice extractor, become a concentrated form of nutritional energy.

Unlike processed, packaged juices, fresh juices are alive, with enzymes, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and all the phytonutrients you need to send a positive healing message to your body and brain.

6) Clean Up Your (Protein) Act

This approach allows for plenty of protein while limiting your intake of fat. I have seen countless patients on low protein diets complain of low energy, fatigue, depression, and poor memory; these symptoms improve or disappear when their protein intake is increased. For people who exercise frequently, I recommend a diet containing about 40 percent protein (which is essential for building and maintaining muscle strength), 15-20 percent good fats, and 35-40 percent complex carbohydrates (whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables).

7) Shop Consciously and Eat Mindfully

Healing with food should begin even before the food arrives at the table. It's important to be mindful when selecting food; if you are frenetic when shopping, you will tend to make the wrong choices. Take a moment to meditate or clear your mind with a few deep breaths before entering the supermarket. This will help you buy healthy food and avoid responding to subliminal advertising messages.

Mealtimes themselves can be an oasis of comfort and healing - or quite the opposite. With a little conscious effort, you can create a divine space in which to enjoy your food.