Guest Article By Dr. Anjali Mukerjee - Co-Chairperson, Health
Total.
Remember
those horror stories of people going blank while taking examinations?
Although it primarily happens due to aging, stress too can lead
to forgetfulness. The intense physical and mental activity that
you go through when preparing for and taking an examination requires
a high level of fitness.
Low nutrient intake, environmental toxins, day-to-day stress, overwork,
stimulants like alcohol, tobacco and junk foods affect our mental
functions. Some people, who normally handle a stressful situation
with ease, begin to over react to a similar situation at times.
Such over reaction becomes a part of a vicious cycle. You may feel
that such a reaction is a part of your personality whereas actually
it may be due to lack of nutrients that throws you into a stress
response that further damages the health of your brain.
We must remember that the brain is the master controller of all
the metabolisms, your thought, emotions and physical state. Most
of us tend to ignore the brain's biological needs. And as a result
as we grow older we face difficulties in remembering names and dates.
Our level of mental alertness dips down. Faces look familiar but
we are unable to recall the names. Little tasks are often forgotten.
The
brain is the largest consumer of the energy that our body produces.
To process information efficiently, to access important data, to
store necessary information, the brain needs oxygen, glucose and
other nutrients. Lack of these leads to short-term memory loss and
mental fatigue. Sometimes it can have serious repercussions in the
form of mental diseases that involve wide scale, permanent memory
loss. For instance, Alzheimer's disease, senile dementia etc.
Activity in the brain is essentially chemical in nature. Which
means that signals received from various senses cause chemical reactions
in the brain that then trigger off action. Neurotransmitters are
chemical messengers responsible for the transfer of information,
memory and mood. If your telephone lines do not work you cannot
talk to your friend. Similarly, if there is a problem with the function
of neurotransmitters information cannot be transferred and retained.
Clinical factors too take their toll on the brain. Certain medications
have side effects on the brain and cause fogginess and lack of concentration.
Nutrition can affect the brain's working. The kind of food you eat
can aggravate your mental inefficiencies. Thus it is very important
to maintain a healthy food diet including all the nutrients necessary
for the proper functioning of the brain especially during the stress
one has to undergo during exams.
Some Food Tips For An Alert Brain
Improving mood and clear thinking - Vitamin B6 - Banana, Wheatgerm,
pulses, brown rice, brewer's yeast.
Improving thinking capabilities - All the B - Vitamins
Maintain Healthy nervous system and cleanse the liver - egg
yolks, nuts like almonds, walnuts, sesame seeds, soyabeans, whole
wheat and wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, lecithin and choline.
Healthy eating pattern and lifestyle
Regular exercising
Avoid alcohol, tobacco and other such stimulants
Adequate sleep will help you recharge your brain
Add carrots, citrus fruits, fresh fruits and vegetables to your
diet
Herbs like ginkgo, ginseng and amino acids like L-carnitine
prevent degeneration of vital organs including the brain and are
also reputed to have healing powers for the brain. It improves
decision-making abilities, increases attention span and mnemonic
capacity
Concentration and retention - Choline, Lecithin, egg yolk, soya
bean
Battle stress by correcting your lifestyle, adopting a regular
exercise regimen and practicing meditation technique
6:02:21 PM 
Remember
those horror stories of people going blank while taking examinations?
Although it primarily happens due to aging, stress too can lead
to forgetfulness. The intense physical and mental activity that
you go through when preparing for and taking an examination requires
a high level of fitness.
The
brain is the largest consumer of the energy that our body produces.
To process information efficiently, to access important data, to
store necessary information, the brain needs oxygen, glucose and
other nutrients. Lack of these leads to short-term memory loss and
mental fatigue. Sometimes it can have serious repercussions in the
form of mental diseases that involve wide scale, permanent memory
loss. For instance, Alzheimer's disease, senile dementia etc.
