Use Your Food To Boost
Your
Brain
There are many
food modifications you can make to boost your IQ. These are
through brain boosting supplements, multivitamins and general
diet tips. Below you will find basic food
guidelines to help you boost your IQ quickly.
Vitamin Supplements You Can
Take
Taking vitamins can boost your IQ. This is
because you might have a nutrition deficiency which you didn't
know existed, which is therefore lowering your IQ and mental
output. Below are some vitamins you can take to improve your IQ
and protect your brain:
1. Take Vitamin C.
Good for concentration and mental clarity.
It contains
something called "anti-oxidants" which help maintain and protect
the integrity of your brain cells. It is also very good for
clearing away toxins and maintain a good blood flow to the brain
(by helping the circulatory system). The immediate effect of
taking vitamin C over a period of time, will be reduced mental
fog and an increase in the things you remember. This is found in
oranges, lemons, kiwis and all other types of citrus fruit.
2. Vitamin E.
Also good for concentration, precision and
clarity. Vitamin E has an awesome antioxidant effect like
Vitamin C, but it goes further in helping to reduce the clogging
of blood vessels, including those blood vessels which go
directly into the brain. This means you are ensured a good
supply of nutrients to the brain at all times, so your thinking
is greatly improved.
3. Alpha-lipoic acid.
This is very good for your memory, and for
increasing the creativity and number of thoughts you have. You probably haven't heard of this
compound before, but it is absolutely awesome for helping your
brain. This compound is called a "super antioxidant" because it
acts as the boss of vitamin's E and C. It therefore increases
their effects, such as mental clarity, enhanced memory etc.
4. Inositol.
This is very good for clear thinking and
mental endurance. It also contributes to
energy production, and so you can stay awake during the day
instead of being half asleep. Studies show a
measurable increase in physical activity for up to five hours after
taking it.
5. Folic acid.
This is good for your memory. In a
nutshell, it helps to reverse memory loss (meaning your memory
improves dramatically) and it helps to reduce the seriousness
and effects of mental depression.
Excellent Brain Boosting
Supplements To Take
Brain boosting supplements is a fancy term
for any product you can take to increase your IQ, but which is
not a vitamin and mineral. The majority of the list below are
common herbs which you can find at your local health store. All
of them have strong medical evidence supporting there IQ
increasing and cognitive improving effects. Be sure to follow
the recommended daily dosages for optimal mental gains (the
dosages are explained fully in our e-book guide). We also
recommend that you don't take supplements for more than 6 weeks
on end, to avoid the possibility of side-effects.
Please note
that any suggestions given below should never be substituted for
professional medical advice. If
you have any medical conditions, are under 18 or over 50 years
of age, we recommend you consult a doctor before embarking on
any supplement programs to improve intelligence.
1. Phosphatidyl Serine (PS).
This famous supplement has been shown in clinical studies
to increase lucidity and rate of learning. It helps regulate
brain cell growth and makes sure that the brain is communicating
within itself correctly. It is also thought to reverse memory
decline. Phosphatidylserine has no known adverse side
effects and is commonly consumed alongside Ginkgo Biloba, which is
explained in 3. below.
2.Vinpocetine.
This extract, derived from an alkaloid found in the
Periwinkle plant, is used as a cerebral vasodilator. This means
it increases blood flow to the brain, meaning that more oxygen
and nutrients can reach the brain and keep it operating at
optimal mental function. This is especially useful if you are
going to be doing something extremely mentally active, such as
an exam, or during long hours of studying.
3. Ginkgo Biloba.
This famous
product increases the blood flow to the brain and leads to rapid increases in short term memory and
alertness. However, it is not
recommended for those over 50 years old, those under 18 or with
medical problems. Also, you should never take Ginkgo with blood
thinning products like aspirin or warfarin. Please see a doctor
if in doubt.
4. Saint John's Wort.
This is a common weed that may be growing in your
yard! Although it doesn't help with long-term depression ,
many people swear by it's temporary mood-elevating effect, which
helps us to function well mentally. It is best for those who have
had their intelligence affected due to depression and poor moods.
5. Caffeine.
Caffeine found in tea and coffee is a very famous stimulant
to improve mental performance. In fact, the research clearly shows that higher test scores
are recorded for students who drink
coffee before major college exams. However, too much caffeine is a definite
no-no because it leads to
over stimulation of the brain, which can therefore lead to a poor quality of decisions.
The key here is moderation. Also, make sure you don't become
addicted to it.
6. Creatine.
Creatine supplementation in subjects showed
improvement in working memory and general intelligence, such as in
concentration and focus. This is a compound found in meat, and is used by athletes to
help build muscle. So it helps both your body and brain together.
7. Nuts.
These have minerals and amino acids that are beneficial to
the brain. The best forms to use are almonds and
walnuts. The reason why its good to supplements with these is
because we may have an amino acid deficiency without even knowing. A
correction on this can easily create a 3-4 IQ points difference in
test results.
8. Olive oil.
Olive oil has been shown to improve memory. It also
helps to circulate blood to the brain so that it obtains sufficient
nutrients for development. A cheaper alternative is canola oil. The
reason why olive oil helps to raise IQ, is because it contains
Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids balance against the Omega-6
fatty acids which are overtly prevalent in our brains (by a factor
of 1:50 in most cases). Balancing the two fatty acid types is
crucial for proper mental functioning, and so supplementation with
olive oil proves a massive help to increase the concentration
ability.
9. Huperzine A.
This is a compound extracted from the Chinese club
moss. It is used to treat Alzheimer's disease which is a disease
affecting the memory and functioning of the neurons. It therefore
helps to improve memory and learning.
10. Selenium.
This is a mood-elevator. Your brain almost certainly
functions better when you are in a better mood. Foods rich in
selenium include Brazil nuts and
garlic.
Food Modifications To Make In General
1. Eat brain foods.
Foods that may be good for your brain include:
Avocados, bananas, lean beef, brewer's yeast. broccoli, brown rice,
sprouts, cantaloupe, collard greens, eggs, flaxseed oil,
legumes, oatmeal, oranges, peanut butter, peas, potatoes, romaine
lettuce, salmon, soybeans, spinach, tuna, turkey and wheat
germ. They are good for you because they are rich in antioxidants,
vitamins and minerals. They also contain certain ratios of
carbohydrates, proteins and fats which help maintain body and mental
function. The other benefit is that they are natural foods so
they don't contain any of the negative effects from artificial
sweeteners etc.
2. Eat foods high in
antioxidants.
Antioxidants protect
all your cells, including brain cells. Some of the foods highest in
antioxidants include: prunes, raisins, blueberries, blackberries,
garlic, kale, cranberries, strawberries, spinach, and raspberries.
Without antioxidants, your mental faculties will automatically
decline because brain cells will get destroyed by cell scavenging
free radicals. It is therefore better to take the steps now
to improve your antioxidant intake so that this mental decline can
be stopped now. The long term affect will be that you will have a
much better memory, more mental stamina, and live longer.
3. Get some fiber.
It isn't just what goes in, but what comes out the
other end that
is important to brain function. Toxic build-up in the body and brain
can cause "brain fog." People often report clearer thinking as one
of the benefits of curing their constipation anyway.
4. Avoid too much fat.
Having the right balance of fats means
you can learn things quicker and increase your problem solving
flexibility. Most fats are rich in Omega 6. Saturated fats have
been shown to actually stunt the growth of brain cells whereas Omega
3 fats are better for you in helping to regain a balance between
fatty acids in the brain.
5. Avoid suspect
foods.
There is evidence that the
following foods can be bad for your brain: Artificial food
colorings, artificial sweeteners, colas, corn syrup, frostings,
high-sugar drinks, hydrogenated fats, sugars, white bread, and any
white-flour products. Basically, your usual fast food meals such as
burgers, fries and hot dogs will have a long and short term effect on your
mental abilities. Simple consumption of these foods can effect your
brain within 24 hours, and lead to mental haziness, confusion and
reduced concentration spans.
6. Avoid sugar.
Any simple carbohydrates can give you "brain fog."
Sometimes called the "sugar blues" as well, this sluggish feeling
makes it hard to think clearly. It results from the insulin rushing
into the bloodstream to counteract the sugar rush. Avoid pasta,
sugars, white bread and potato chips before any important mental
tasks.
7. Eat breakfast.
When kids who didn't eat breakfast started to eat
it, researchers found that their math scores went up a whole grade
on average. This basically means that you can go from a B grade to
an A, simply by having breakfast! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and must
never be avoided. When you think about it, your whole body and brain
has been fasting the whole night. On waking, it is craving nutrients
to help it function properly so you need to feed it well and break
this cycle. Make sure you at a large breakfast ever morning, and
make it a habit.
8. Eat
less overall.
Overeating has the immediate effect of
redirecting more blood to the digestive process, leaving less for
the brain. Long term, it can cause arterial obstructions that reduce
blood flow to the brain permanently. This means you will not be able
to maintain or increase your mental functioning from other tasks
which you do.
9. Consume alcohol in moderation.
It is
known that alcohol can kill brain cells, so moderation seems to be
the key. This goes without saying, but you would be surprised by the
number of people who complain about a poor memory and mental skills
because of alcohol, when they know fine well that this was going to
happen. The trick here is to change your lifestyle so
that alcohol is not a major part of it. This will happen through
discipline, and taking the right steps with this discipline to
counter-act negative alcohol effects.
What To Expect
Most supplements and
vitamins will
have an immediate effect on your mental ability. Other tools will
compound their positive effects over time. Either way, you will be
automatically left with a clearer and sharper mind.
The effects of diet alone can be as much as 25-30 IQ points on
your IQ score over time. It is therefore in your best interests in
both
the short and long run to stick to better lifestyles. This will
ensure that you maximise
your mental faculties throughout your life.
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