BY DR. ROOPA CHARI, M.D.
Oct 6th, 2013
Top #3 Brain Healthy Food
Kale: This green leafy vegetable is loaded with brain protecting nutrients such as manganese which is a trace mineral important for brain and nerve function.
Studies also show that manganese also helps form powerful antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) inside a very important part of your cells known as mitochondria (the energy powerhouse of your cells). This antioxidant protects your cells from damage.
Kale also has L-tyrosine which is an important amino acid needed to make neurotransmitters (brain chemicals that communicate information between our brain and body) such as dopamine and norepinephrine.
These brain chemicals affect your mood, energy and increase your ability to solve problems and improve memory!
On top of this kale is high in dietary fiber which fights inflammation which is critical for maintaining a healthy brain.
Tip: Eat steamed kale or sauté kale in olive oil (& occasionally eat raw kale). Cooking kale decreases the effects that cruciferous vegetables may have in suppressing the thyroid.
* If you have hypothyroidism it is best to minimize eating raw kale.
About Dr. Roopa Chari, M.D.: "Dr. Roopa Chari is a medical doctor in Internal Medicine and her brother Deepak Chari is an Engineer and Certified Biofeedback Specialist at The Chari Center of Health, an advanced integrative medical center in Encinitas, CA. * Sign up for a FREE 15 minute holistic medical consult with Dr. Chari and/or a FREE 30 minute Stress & Anxiety Relief session with Advanced Voice Biofeedback with Deepak Chari here or call (760) 230-2711."