This article is printed from http://www.SelfGrowth.com
Healthy Brain: Not Just For Good Memory, But Good Personality As Well
By Sharon Bell
Jan 1, 2008
You have probably heard about Phineas Gage. Back in the latter half of the 1840's, this fellow worked as a foreman for a railway contractor; he was in charge of setting up the bed for the railroad in a place in Vermont. His life abruptly changed in September of 1848 when an explosive charge he was preparing blew up accidentally, driving a tamping iron right through his head.
But his story does not end there. You see, just like in the movies, that accident did not end Phineas Gage's life. After a few months, he had fully recovered and began to live a normal life. To this day, Gage is perhaps the most notable survivor of a brain injury. But when people close to Gage and medical experts back in the day took a closer look at the man, they claimed that survivor Gage was no longer the Gage they knew. His friends and colleagues have observed that after the accident, Gage had become restless, contemptuous, extremely obscene and detached.
Today, when people talk about Phineas Gage, there is a good chance that the issue at hand is about the link between the condition of the brain and a person's personality and overall health. Gage became the first comprehensive and living test subject for doctors and psychiatrists at the time. Somehow, his experience taught the world so much about the functions of the brain and the importance of taking good care of its health.
Indeed, the brain is the most important organ in the body. It controls all the other parts of the body and it is the seat of one's thoughts and even personality. But with so much power, it is surprising to note that the brain is also one of the most vulnerable parts of the human anatomy. As it is composed entirely of fat, your brain is susceptible to the attacks of certain molecules known as free radicals. These molecules bring about oxidation, a process which destroys cell membranes in your brain and other parts of your body.
If you do not want to experience degeneration in your mental abilities and your personality in general, then you better take care of your brain. While it is true that aging, oxidation, and accidents like the one that Phineas Gage had can threaten your brain, there are ways in which you can maintain and even improve its condition.
Increase Intake Of Good Fat
As mentioned, the brain is composed of fat. In fact, fat cells provide the protective envelope for the nerves that connect to your brain. Studies have shown that adopting a diet that is zero in fat can be harmful for your brain in the long run; totally avoiding fat can even lead to the malfunction of the entire nervous system to which your brain belongs.
This may sound sacrilegious for many weight watchers. Well, it might be important to note that eating fat is not responsible for making a person fat; rather carbohydrates are the ones that turn your abs into flab! Besides, when including fat in your diet, always choose the good fats; those that include monounsaturated fats from nuts and olive oil and also polyunsaturated fat from fish oils.
Never Shun Protein
Proteins provide the groundwork for all the tissues in the body. They are the primary source for beneficial amino acids. As for the brain, proteins play important roles in the proper functioning of the neurons and their electrical characteristics.
Also include in your diet ample amounts of antioxidants like selenium, carotenids, and vitamins E and C. You do not have to fill your refrigerator and shop for all the foodstuff that is good for your brain. There are products that can help you attain improved mental health, just like Neurovar. For more information about a healthier brain, you can visit www.Neurovar.com.