7 Vitamins For A Healthier Brain

The brain is the most important organ in the human body. But why? All the functions of our bodies depend on the functioning of our brains. When we don’t get all the vitamins and nutrients we need, we run out of energy, we’re tired and irritable. We might even get sick.

Most of us don’t know what vitamins our brains need for our brains to function properly. We eat more depending on how we consider our digestive system or what we look like when we look in the mirror. We do not pay so much attention to this body.

Certain substances can help us develop our memory and concentration. They can also prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Making small changes in our diet can bring about great changes in our health. What vitamins do we need to take to take care of our brains? We’ll tell you about them now.

1. Beta-carotene, one of the best vitamins

Beta-carotene is a vitamin that we should never leave out of our diet. This vitamin is converted to vitamin A, and that is also its other name. Its biggest effect is to develop memory and it helps protect brain cells.

Beta-carotene deficiency leads to serious problems such as vision problems or, in the case of children, slowed growth. We can find this vitamin e.g. carrots and pumpkins, and also fruits such as melon, papaya and mango.

2. Vitamin B1

All B vitamins are really essential for good brain function. Vitamin B1 in particular has great effects in preventing memory loss. It also slows brain aging  and is a great way to elevate mood in those suffering from depression.

Vitamin B1 is also called thiamine and is found in large amounts in our brains and all our nerve tissues. It also takes part in the absorption of glucose, so this vitamin is ideal for keeping our energy levels high. It also helps our heart function and has positive effects on our eye health. This vitamin is without a doubt one of the most complete vitamins.

We can find vitamin B1, or thiamine, in most meats. Especially cattle, chicken, pig, and fish. It is also found in nuts, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

3. Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is also one of the most complete vitamins. It does so much good for the brain. It supports the creation of various neurotransmitters such as dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and acetylcholine. These mediators, as this name already suggests, are responsible for transmitting signals produced by neurons. Let’s look at them in a little more detail:

• Dopamine has to do with our brain’s reward system. It has a big impact on our mood.
• Adrenaline and noradrenaline are connected to our alarm system and play a role in anxiety.
• Gamma-aminobutyric acid regulates the feeling of pain  and helps relieve stress and anxiety.
• Acetylcholine is involved in memory functions.

Vitamin B6 also helps with the absorption of vitamin B12, and this vitamin is again an extremely important vitamin for our cognitive development. Vitamin B6 deficiency leads to problems such as depression. It also has a major impact on general emotional imbalances and sleep problems. It is found in foods such as e.g. in wheat germ, rice, potatoes, turkey, beef, chicken, mutton, eggs, milk and other dairy products, pork, seafood, lentils, peppers and nuts.

4. Vitamin B9

This B vitamin also works with Vitamins B6 and B12 and helps create red blood cells. This in turn helps with oxidation, and thus it is excellent for your brain.

Vitamin B9 is also called folic acid or folate. It plays a really important role in keeping our brains fresh. And like vitamin B6, it helps form several neurotransmitters. Vitamin B9 deficiency can lead to stroke.

We can find folic acid in foods such as legumes, whole grains, spinach, asparagus, rice, and oats. It is also found in fruits such as bananas, oranges, melons and avocados. Almost all nuts contain vitamin B6, especially peanut.

5. Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 supplements a group of B vitamins, all of which are absolutely essential for good brain function. This vitamin is actually the most important B vitamin. It promotes the formation of cells and fatty acids. It is also a thorough vitamin in the manufacture of several different substances. This vitamin is closely related to short-term memory.

Vitamin B12 deficiency causes memory loss, slowing of mind, and negative changes in mood. Many researchers attribute vitamin B12 deficiency to Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin B12 is e.g. in foods such as beef, chicken, turkey and animal intestines. It is also found in trout, salmon, mussels, whole grains, eggs, and dairy products such as cheese and yogurt.

6. Vitamin C.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. It protects the brain from the oxidative stress and degenerative processes  that manifest in the later ages of all of us. It plays a major role in the prevention of diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

On top of all that, vitamin C helps us absorb iron. This is important for memory and concentration. Several people mix their iron-containing foods with foods high in vitamin C to get them more iron.

Many people also see vitamin C as a natural antidepressant. Vitamin C has the ability to raise serotonin levels and is also an important neurotransmitter for our mood. This vitamin is found in all citrus fruits and green vegetables.

7. Other vitamins

There are also many other vitamins that are really important for our good brain function. One of these is  vitamin D. According to several studies, this vitamin helps with diseases such as  multiple sclerosis  and  certain depressive disorders. We can find this vitamin in fish, e.g. sardines, salmon, tuna and mushrooms.

Vitamin K promotes better learning and memory. People with Alzheimer’s disease often have vitamin K deficiency. We can find this vitamin in large amounts in broccoli. We can also find it in Brussels sprouts, parsley, leafy vegetables, asparagus, celery and fermented food.

Finally,  vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acids are extremely good for our brains. Vitamin E is a great antioxidant, and Omega-3 fatty acid, on the other hand, helps increase brain plasticity. When we get both, they protect us from degenerative processes, and they sharpen our minds.

Nutrition is a determinant of the quality of our lives. The way we feed ourselves has a lot to do with disease and health. So let’s eat sensibly.