Eat Your Way to a Healthier Central Nervous System
By Sara Butler
Chiropractors are big fans of a well-functioning and healthy central nervous system, and they have a lot of strategies that can help you to achieve that. Of course, regular chiropractic adjustments and exercise can help you to stay healthy and keep your central nervous system balanced, but what you eat can have a big impact on it, too. Here are some foods that are great for your central nervous system that you may want to consider getting more of this year. It’ll make your chiropractor proud!
Cacao
Yes, that’s chocolate. But, this isn’t a pass to eat unlimited amounts of chocolate in your diet. What you want to aim for is dark chocolate that has very little sugar in it, since sugar will basically erase any of the benefits you may be getting from this food.
The reason cacao is good for your central nervous system is because it contains something called L-tryptophan, a neurotransmitter that helps to keep your system calm. It can help you with anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disorders.
Bananas
Bananas are convenient bundles of excellent central nervous system nutrition. You can take them with you about anywhere and they’re affordable, plus they fit perfectly into your hand. The potassium in bananas helps to keep your body and brain hydrated by balancing out the electrolytes in your body. Remember, your brain is 73 percent water, so maintaining the balance is really important to optimal functioning – and bananas can help you achieve that!
Nuts
Nuts such as cashews and almonds are high in magnesium, an important component to a healthy central nervous system. Brazil nuts help to give you a punch of selenium, also important to a healthy brain and spinal cord.
Spinach
These green leaves are high in Vitamin B6 and folate, vitamins that help to break down something in your body called homocysteines. These chemicals may contribute to dementia later in life, so make sure you’re getting enough to keep your mind like a steel trap!
Garlic
Garlic is for more than just fighting off vampires. It is full of antioxidants that help to prevent the aging of cells in your brain. That means that the cells in your central nervous system stay healthier for longer with garlic!
Chiropractic care is important to a healthy central nervous system, but don’t forget to do your part in staying healthy by paying attention to what you put on your dinner plate!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.