The fact that diet directly affects behaviour is no news, on the contrary, this reality has been perceived a very long time ago, as the old saying “a man is what he eats” proves.

Studies have been performed to ascertain the degree in which this happens. A study of the scientists and researchers from the University of Southern California shows that a lack vitamin B, zinc, iron from the diet during the first years of life seems to influence behaviour later on.

Malnutrition in early ages, shows the study, predisposes to neurocognitive deficits. These deficits will lead to behavioural problems, such as antisocial and aggressive behaviour, during childhood and adolescence.

It is common knowledge that the lack or the insufficient intake of certain substances influences body development and all the resulting aspects. Nutritive substances have certain specific nurture targets, namely they feed particularly some body parts. Thus, the nutrients for the brain play a crucial role in the subsequent development of the neural activity, affecting brain health and mental performance. The mental state is also influenced by nutrients, as they are essential ingredients in the biochemical processes that produce brain neurotransmitters. Serotonin and dopamine which are known to affect mood are such neurotransmitters.

It seems that behaviour and mental performance can be improved by a controlled diet. Especially at early ages, reducing malnutrition will help reduce later antisocial and aggressive behavior, as the study concludes. Results of such studies and researches are important for applying correct adjustments to diet beginning with early childhood not only to improve health state – or to help correct various illnesses generated by brain malfunctions – but also to enhance positive social behaviour of persons with a tendency towards violence and behavioural disordes.

To conclude, substances that are essential for the brain optimum functioning and that should be present in sufficient quantities in a balanced diet are:

• the B vitamin complex – essential for the brain cells health and the formation of neurotransmitters – B1: bread, rice, pasta, and fortified cereals, pasta, pork; B5: meat, poultry, fish, whole-grain cereals, legumes, milk, vegetables, fruit; B6: chicken, fish, pork, liver, and kidney, whole grain cereals, nuts, legumes; B12: eggs, meat, fish, poultry, milk and dairy products;
• essential fatty acids – Omega 3 – brain’s composition is 60% essential fatty acids – fish, especially cold water fish, seafood, olive oil or canola oil;
• antioxidans (vitamin E, vitamin C, glutathione, coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid) – protect brain from free radicals that attack DNA, creating permanent cellular damage generating accelerated aging, memory loss and favoring chronic disease – fruit and vegetables, black tea, green tea, chocolate, red wine;
• folic acid – essential for metabolism of long-chain fatty acids in the brain – bananas, orange juice, fortified cereals, lemons, strawberry, cantaloupe, leafy vegetables, dried beans and peas;
• magnesium, potassium, calcium – necessary for good nerve functioning – magnesium sources: whole grains, legumes, nuts, and green vegetables; potassium sources: apricots, avocados, bananas, cantaloupe, grapefruit, honeydew, kiwi, oranges, prunes, strawberries, potatoes, meat, and fish, calcium sources: milk and diary;
• iron – needed to carry oxygen to the brain cells and used to make brain neurotransmitters – lean beef, whole grain breakfast cereals, whole grain breads, raisins, dried apricots, legumes, bean dips, and bran muffins;
• zinc – antioxidative role, important for memory – certain seafood – oysters, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, whole grains, fortified breakfast cereals, and dairy products.

Laura Ciocan writes for http://www.dietsindex.com where you can find more information about the most popular diets and diet aids.

Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website. If you use this article, please include the resource box and send a brief message to let me know where it appeared; mailto:lauracio@gmail.com