Brain Food: The Top Foods for Mental Wellness
Mark Hyman
May 27, 2024
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Recognize overeating as a natural response, not a moral failure
Hyper-palatable foods like chips are scientifically designed to be overeaten, and the inability to stop is a natural evolutionary response to calorie density, not a lack of willpower.
Incorporate avocados for optimal brain protection against oxidative stress
Avocados provide the highest concentration of fat-protecting antioxidants of any fruit or vegetable, which is crucial for protecting the brain from oxidative stress.
Focus on protein, fiber, and water for optimal satiety
The three factors that make a food satiating are its protein content, fiber content, and water content, while fat prolongs the feeling of fullness.
Prioritize food processing over calorie count for better health
A finely ground porridge spikes blood sugar far more than a coarsely ground one with identical calories and carbs, showing the degree of processing is a key health factor.
Boost brain health with grass-fed beef for ApoE4 carriers
Grass-fed beef is a powerful brain food because it contains creatine, a compound that supports brain energy and is often depleted in carriers of the ApoE4 Alzheimer's risk gene.
Evaluate meat studies by assessing hazard ratios
When evaluating nutritional studies on meat, if the reported hazard ratio is not at least 2 (a 200% increased risk), the finding is likely insignificant.
Hydrate optimally with electrolytes for cellular health
For optimal cellular hydration, add electrolytes to your water, with a recommended product being the sugar-free liquid drops called Lyte Show.
Address brain inflammation to alleviate anxiety and depression
Brain inflammation doesn't cause pain but can manifest as anxiety or depression, and its source is often an imbalanced gut microbiome caused by a poor diet.
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