Brain Essentials

I attended a lecture on the connection between food and depression, and the information was amazing. By our eating habits, we are determining also our attitudes. Somewhere during the lecture we participants received a handout listing essential chemicals for feeding and maintaining a healthy brain. Here is the list, which appears to be taken from a book entitled "Nutrition for the Brain" (page 61).

BRAIN ESSENTIALS

tryptophan: pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds, tofu, cauliflower, walnuts, flaxseed and grapes

tyrosine: watermelon, almonds, lentils, whole grains (wheat and oats), bananas, lima beans, avocados, seaweed (spiraling), and dry roasted soy beans

no cholesterol: whole grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts

iron: seaweed, soy beans, pumpkin and sesame seeds, cashews, raisins and sun-dried tomatoes

thiamine: macadamia nuts, pistachios, fresh green peas, edamame, navy beans and asparagus

choline and betaine: quinoa, spinach, green soybeans and beets

resvratrol: bilberries, blueberries, black grapes, peanuts and cranberries

omega-3: walnuts, pecans, red bell pepper, avocado, blueberries, romaine lettuce, spinach, flax, chia and hemp seeds

folate: black-eyed peas, pinto beans, black beans, chick peas, asparagus and spinach

B12: Red Star brand nutritional yeast, fortified breakfast cereals and plant based milks

__________________________________________________________________

The bottom half of the page had participants "make a salad" that would be rich in a particular nutrient, a very good hands-on activity for stimulating people in applying the info learned and also in utilizing it/testing it out with other participants.

Action: Make a fruit or vegetable salad using the ingredients listed above...

tryptophan _______________________________________________________
tyrosine _________________________________________________________
iron ____________________________________________________________
omega-3 ________________________________________________________
thiamine ________________________________________________________
choline and betaine ________________________________________________
resveratrol _______________________________________________________
folate ___________________________________________________________
B12 ____________________________________________________________ 

All recommended food items, e.g. nutritional yeast, tofu, etc, aren't good for people with candida; however, there are excellent choices here to boost brain energy and help overcome depression, something that people with candida often have because of the excessive toxins within the body which are continually transported through the blood and lymph and affecting mental clarity.