Keep Your Mind Focused and Memory Sharp

Have you ever found yourself rummaging in the kitchen for a baked potato, leftover pasta, or a slice of bread to munch on? If so, your body may have been seeking foods that have the capacity to bring your neurotransmitters into balance, keeping your brain functions sharp. Neurotransmitters are chemical substances that help transmit messages from one area of the brain to another.

When you consume a carbohydrate, your body breaks it down into sugar, or glucose. Insulin is then released into your bloodstream to help your body absorb the glucose, which in turn helps your cells absorb the amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan then travels to the brain, where it builds serotonin.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter. There are foods that encourage regular serotonin production. When your body has enough serotonin, it doesn't have relentless cravings. A number of foods encourage serotonin balance. Some contain the building blocks for serotonin; others support general brain health so your body can regulate serotonin properly. Still others help keep insulin levels balanced so that your system isn't overwhelmed or underwhelmed.

The serotonin-boosting foods below provide alphalinolenic acid (LNA) and DHA, which have a vital impact on brain health. Perhaps the most important is DHA, which is found in fish, DHA-fortified eggs, nuts, seeds, soy, and avocado.

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