A Healthy Brain for Healthy Weight Loss
September 2012
Don’t forget to feed your brain during your weight loss plan in Beverly Hills or Bakersfield
The brain is a wondrous organ. It regulates our every organ and behavior, allowing us to move, reason and breathe. During your medical weight loss plan you’ll likely pay extra attention to all of your habits by eating healthier and exercising more, but how often do you stop to make sure your brain is taken care of in addition to your waistline?
As you slim down with your weight loss plan, you can strive for optimal wellness and a higher quality of life by nurturing your brain with healthy foods and practices for optimized brain function.
Here are some healthy habits to add to your weight loss plan to keep your brain happy and healthy.
- Eat more anti-inflammatory foods. According to research, inflammation in the body can compromise adequate blood flow and proper brain function. All of the body’s organs depend on proper food and the brain is no exception. Foods fit for managing inflammation in the body include oranges, carrots, strawberries and dark leafy greens like spinach. You can also add spices like ginger and tumeric to the healthy foods that are a part of your weight loss plan. Ginger and tumeric are both known to be powerful anti-inflammatory agents.
- Eat more healthy foods with omega-3s. Omega-3s are fatty acids that are positively linked with brain function. Researchers suggest omega-3 fatty acids help improve brain cell membrane health and allow for enhanced communication between cells. Diets low in omega-3s have been linked with increased risk of depression, dyslexia and attention-deficit disorder. You can add foods such as walnuts, kiwi and salmon to your weight loss plan to get your fair share of omega-3s.
- Avoid foods with trans fats, sugars, hydrogenated or refined vegetable oils and white flours. Foods containing these unhealthy ingredients are known to cause inflammation. Instead, add healthy fruits and vegetables abundant in antioxidants to your weight loss plan. Antioxidants are proven to reduce cellular damage caused by free radicals. Healthy foods with high antioxidant contents include blueberries, raspberries, spinach, kale, almonds, garlic and apricots.
- Add stress management to your weight loss plan. Beverly Hills and Bakersfield make for busy city-living, so be sure to take some time to practice stress management during your weight loss plan. High levels of stress are toxic to nerve cells. You can reduce stress and better manage its effects by engaging in relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga and deep breathing.
These are just a few simple ways to make sure your brain is healthy and happy as you progress with your efforts so lose weight. Make sure to consult Dr. Kerendian before making any changes to your weight loss plan.