Decline in brain function: What’s happening to our modern brains?
We would all love to keep the sharp wit of youth, but more and more people are experiencing cognitive decline with age. What’s happening to our modern brains?
This decline in brain function isn’t necessarily related to age itself, but is often related to lifestyle exposures building up over time. A poor diet and lifestyle will catch up with you eventually, and poor brain functioning is one way an unhealthy lifestyle manifests for a large portion of the population.
Luckily, diet and lifestyle habits can be changed! Symptoms of an unhealthy brain:
- Poor memory and memory loss
- Confusion, poor comprehension, or poor concentration
- Poor physical coordination
- Difficulty in making decisions
- Stuttering, stammering, or slurred speech
- Brain fog, slow information retrieval, general cognitive decline
Experiencing cognitive decline? Here’s what to do!
Cognitive decline can be related to a variety of factors, including heavy metal toxicity, food sensitivities, excess sugar intake, infections like EBV and Lyme Disease, and inadequate nutrient intake.
These cognitive changes don't typically happen overnight. It can take decades to build up enough toxins or lose enough nutrients to cause noticeable symptoms, so it may take several months or years to reverse them.
Start off with important tests and a skilled Juno Wellness practitioner to speed up the process of identifying your unique triggers. Book a Personalized 1:1 Consultation today with a Juno Wellness expert to learn more.
Here's some brain food for thought!
One of the easiest ways we can fight off cognitive decline is by nourishing our brains with the nutrients it needs to function properly.
Proper brain function requires specific neurotransmitters in specific concentrations in specific areas of the brain. The best way to ensure your neurotransmitters are working properly is to provide them with adequate raw materials to get the job done. These include amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and other food-derived chemicals.
Nutrients for a healthy brain:
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids, specifically DHA: you can find this in low-mercury fatty fish like anchovies and sardines
- B12: grass-fed beef and pastured egg yolks
- Folate & B6: dark leafy greens are rich in Folate, and grass-fed animal proteins are a good source of B6
- Choline: pastured egg yolks and grass-fed liver Iron: grass-fed red meat, dark leafy greens, liver
- Vitamin D: some levels in eggs, liver, and mushrooms, but significantly more comes from sunshine, so spend more time outside!
You can shop for these supplements, and so much more, at the Juno Wellness online store.
Boost your cognitive function with this brain-nourishing recipe
Salmon and Brown Rice Bowl
Servings: 4
Cooking time: 25 min
Ingredients:
1 cup Brown Rice (dry)
1 1/3 tsps Tamari (gluten-free soy sauce)
1 1/3 tsps Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 lb Salmon Fillet (skin removed)
Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)
3 1/2 tbsps Mayonnaise
2 tsps Sriracha
1 1/3 Avocado (cubed)
2/3 tsp Sesame Seeds (optional)
Directions:
1. Cook the rice according to the package directions.
2. When the rice is finished cooking, pour on the tamari and set aside. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat.
3. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Add the salmon to the pan and cook for four to six minutes per side until cooked through.
5. Once the salmon has cooled, flake with a fork and set aside.
6. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and sriracha.
7. Divide the rice into bowls and top with salmon, avocado, and garnish with sesame seeds. Serve with spicy mayo. Enjoy!
