Refrain from consuming processed foods to strengthen your brain and health

Refrain from consuming processed foods to strengthen your brain and health

Refrain from consuming processed foods to strengthen your brain and health

Thursday, 21 October 2021
blogs
Written by Dr. Stephen Barrie

If you want better memory and a normal brain, I suggest you AVOID all those heavily processed foods.

Trans fats are often found in processed foods, and they are commonly found in fried foods, store-bought salad dressings, pie crusts, muffins, chips, baked goods, and other processed and convenience food. Trans fats prolong the shelf life of processed foods, but it reduces people's shelf life and brains!



Have you checked the label on the food package you buy in the store or asked at the fast-food restaurant? Trans Fats are clearly labeled – the acceptable amount is ZERO %.

Trans Fat is a type of dietary fat, and they are made when food makers turn liquid oils into solid fats like shortening or margarine. Of all oils, it is the worst for your health, including increasing your risk of heart disease. Trans fats are sometimes labeled as "hydrogenated oil" or "partially hydrated oil"– ways that manufacturers try to trick you.

Trans fats can make food taste better and last longer on grocery store shelves but you will last shorter if you consume any.

Why do you want to avoid consuming any trans fats?
  • Regularly eating trans fats can lead to diseases like dementia and depression.
  • A recent study that looked at the diets of people at-risk for Alzheimer's has revealed that a balanced diet high in vitamins and low in trans-fats is good for you. Specifically for your brain and could be a check against the debilitating effects of aging on your thinking organ.
  • Our brain is made of about 60 percent of fat, which comes from the fats in our diet. When trans fats become part of the cells and nerve sheaths, they replace vital brain fats, such as DHA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid. As a result, cellular communication suffers, the cells degenerate, brain volume shrinks, and memory and cognition suffer.

What Is Processed Food?
"Processed food" includes food that has been cooked, canned, frozen, packaged, or changed in nutritional composition with fortifying, preserving, or preparing in different ways and usually contain those terrible trans fats. Processing varies a food from its natural state – the more heavily processed, the worse they are for your health.

Examples of common processed foods include:


A recent research paper reported that just four weeks of a highly-processed diet led to significantly increased inflammation in the brains of aging rats accompanied by signs of memory loss. Of course, highly processed diets are also associated with obesity diabetes. One of the remarkable things this study uncovered was how quickly processed foods negatively affected the brain – just four weeks!

This research also found that supplementation with Omega 3 oils reduced the induced brain inflammation and memory loss. Adding foods high in omega three fats, such as salmon, can prevent or lessen this damage.



CONCLUSION for a healthier YOU: eat a diet rich in unprocessed foods, lots of fruits, vegetables, fish – the Mediterranean Diet is a great example that can help you craft the best diet foundation.

Do you want to taste delicious healthy food and learn more about how to use food to lower chronic disease and improve your memory – then make a reservation at Tri Vanada’s new farm to table restaurant – Jampa at the Community House.
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