Archive for January, 2012

Your Poor Diet Is Hurting Your Grades

You have a new laptop, a small fortune invested in books, and a tutor to get you through your statistics class. But you’ve neglected the most powerful tool you have for a successful academic career: your brain. It may not be the first thing you think of when you hear “school supplies,” yet a well-nourished brain is essential for outstanding academic performance. This is because even though your brain makes up only two percent of your body weight, it absorbs a whopping 20 percent of your caloric intake. Your brain’s voracious appetite means that your unhealthy eating habits don’t just undermine immune system support. Poor nutrition could lead to ailing grades.

You don’t eat breakfast. Mom’s known it for years and researchers are finally getting a clue – breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. The New York Times says researchers examined 47 studies and found eating breakfast contributes to better mental functioning in students. The researchers aren’t sure why breakfast improves grades, but speculate breakfast causes changes in the concentration of neurotransmitters, chemicals that act as messengers in the brain. Experts recommend a breakfast containing protein, natural sugars, fiber and a little fat to maintain blood glucose levels and sustain energy.

You eat lots of salt and saturated fat. Fast food fits a college student’s budget, and of course, it’s fast. But researchers at the University of Alberta examined the diets of 5,000 school children and found those who ate diets high in salt and saturated fat performed poorly on tests compared to those whose diets consisted of fruits, vegetables, protein and fiber. Live Science reports that rats given excessive amounts of saturated fat suffered damage to the hippocampus, an area of the brain important for the formation of memories.

You eat too many calories. According to an article in Live Science, an overload of calories can reduce the flexibility of synapses in the brain. Synapses act like a parking garage for neurotransmitters. Rigid synapses make it difficult for neurotransmitters to travel across neurons. Excessive calories also increase oxidative damage in the brain, which experts think may contribute to Alzheimer’s.

The fish you eat is swimming in fat. Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which support synaptic plasticity. Omega-3s make fish a great brain food – except when it’s battered and deep-fried in vegetable oil. Researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago analyzed the fish-eating habits of over 80,000 women. They concluded those who ate fried fish forfeited any health benefits from Omega-3s and actually increased their risk of heart failure.

You eat three or fewer meals a day. Live Science reports that the brain runs on a constant supply of glucose. When your glucose levels fall, your ability to think suffers. Live Science goes on to say that your brain works best with 25 grams of glucose circulating in the blood stream. To prevent too much or too little glucose in your blood stream, eat frequent, small meals throughout the day.

Keeping your brain healthy by eating nutritious food may do more than boost your grades. Psych Central says that omega-3 depletion or being overweight may increase your risk of depression. From your mood to your G.P.A., studies indicate that good nutrition does more than simply boost immune system. In addition to providing immune system support, eating well can improve your grades and your well-being.

6 Ways To Better Health in the New Year

The brand new year should are a symbol of different things. When searching back the coming year at this time around, you might have the ability to see themselves to be more healthy and more happy. This is the time to start that journey.

The initial step should be imagining perfect health insurance and an agenda to carry out achieving these goals. Possibly an individual would really like straighter teeth along with a better smile. Others would like to get slimmer and avoid heart illnesses or cancer. Many of these products are achievable within the year. To start on the road to a more healthy lifestyle and the body, listed here are six possible resolutions.

1. Go to the dental professional two occasions throughout the entire year. A cosmetic dental professional keeps one’s teeth beautiful and may correct issues with the smile. You should keep your teeth and nicotine gums healthy, because it impacts overall wellness.

2. Start flossing every day. Flossing among teeth will get eliminate plaque, prevents tooth decay, keeps foul breath at bey, and keeps nicotine gums from getting inflamed. Many people don’t start flossing. You should get it done regularly.

3. Tackle away a minumum of one bad habit. Everybody has habits that aren’t great for our overall health. This season, it is advisable to pick only one bad habit and purposely finish it. Lots of people attempt to stop smoking to slim down. These two things can make an individual more healthy.

4. Exercise. Strength train, practice yoga, or just go for a walk. exercise may have an optimistic impact on an individual’s health. It fights body fat and enhances an individual’s appearance. Additionally, it reduces cholesterol, relieves stress, and increases energy.

5. Consume a healthy diet plan. Even if a person doesn’t eat an excessive amount of unhealthy foods, the products which are eaten may adversely impact health. Certain meals raise cholesterol, increase putting on weight, and result in diabetes. Take a look at diet making enhancements. This might mean saying no thanks to particular things or consuming more fruits and veggies.

6. Avoid stress. Stress is harmful to an individual’s health. It affects happiness and mood. Examine high might be high stress levels at the office or both at home and attempt to get rid of the situations that create it.

Attempt to follow a few of the pointed out tips along with a person should have the ability to make 2012 successful. Even small changes can produce a large difference. Don’t delay getting more healthy and more happy.