Have you ever felt sluggish, drowsy and low energy after a meal? We’ve all been there. But what if I told you that you can feel light, feel great and have heaps of energy instead? How? Let’s find out. Brain Food Neurotransmitters play a large role in our mood. These neurotransmitters are made up of amino acids (absorbed from foods we eat), which is why our diet can influence mood so heavily. When we eat foods that’s high in refined sugar for instance, our brain is fooled into a sense of calmness with increased energy levels but only temporarily. We’re all too familiar with the sugar high then crash. The longer these foods are consumed, the more our natural mood chemicals deplete. So it’s important to regularly consume food that provide the needed amino acids that in turn keep our neurotransmitters in balance. Amino acids are found in meat products. But too much meat consumption is hard on your body and it raises the acidity. Plant-based amino acids on the other hand are absorbed quickly and efficiently and are alkalising. The amino acids that are key in influencing your mood are: Glutamine - When you’re stressed, high levels of glutamine is used. Supplements containing glutamine are often used to fight depression and fatigue. You can get this amino acid from beets, spinach, lentils, cabbage, beans and parsley. Phenylalanine - This is an essential amino acid because it can’t be made in your body and can affect all types of mood disorders. Find it in leafy greens, peas, soy, broccoli, and nuts and seeds. Tryptophan - This amino acid is directly related to serotonin levels, which allow you to have an overall sense of well-being. Foods high in tryptophan are mushrooms, legumes, nuts and seeds, spirulina, cocoa and more. Tyrosine - Another amino acid that highly influences mood, stress and even low-sex drive. It can be found in cauliflower, asparagus, almonds, avocados, bananas, lima beans, seeds and more. The Role of Micronutrients Micronutrients are just that – nutrients we need in small doses. These nutrients allow us to function at our optimal level. Thiamine, iron and folic acid are all crucial and help regulate our mood. When you don’t get enough thiamine your mood may suffer while getting enough thiamine can increase energy levels and improve overall well-being. Thiamine is found in cauliflower, nuts and seeds (macadamias) and soy beans. Iron deficiency is quite common in developed countries. Low levels can affect your attention, mood and energy levels. Foods that are high in iron are spinach, parsley, asparagus and nuts and seeds. Folate is most commonly consumed during pregnancy in order to prevent neural tube complications. It does however, play a role in your mood. Folate is found in dark leafy greens, beans, beets, sprouts and nuts. Key Takeaways (the healthy kind) Raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds are packed with nutrients that your body is crying out for. These nutrients keep your body running at an optimal level and leave you feeling awesome! Neurotransmitters affect your mood. They’re made from amino acids so eat these foods to improve your chances of feeling awesome. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. You’ll notice that all the foods high in amino acids and micronutrients can be found in your fruit and veg so dig into that salad! Remember your micronutrients too. Get your thiamine, iron and folate from dark leafy greens and nuts and seeds. It’s simple. Treat your body right and it will treat you well in return. Work as a team. Consume lots of alkaline forming foods you’ll not only look and feel better but your body will be running efficiently. Start small. Make the changes necessary and I assure you it will be the best thing you ever did for yourself. Stay Tuned.. Next week I’ll be looking into the incredible world of high dosage Vitamin-C treatment for cancer. For more natural health tips visit our blog at: http://www.alkalife.com.au/blog.
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