| The Brain |
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Picture your brain as a ball of mostly fat. Imagine that! We so often equate a lump of fat with sloppiness, mess and unrestricted impulse. Yet the brain is seen as the ‘techno geek’ of the body with its highly efficient electrical pathways in permanent operation. Our brains never shut down! Electrical impulses are zapping and zooming thorough out the nervous system to keep us in our higher state of co-ordinated existence.  The thought process involves chemical and electrical activity. Just a simple thought raises certain areas in the brain to heightened activity. In the extreme, as in episodes of epilepsy, excessive electrical discharges occur. Epilepsy can exist in many forms and is sometimes known to have certain triggers to set off an attack. We usually all know that electricity through cables need an insulating sheath. The cord to a plug is an insulator and a safety requirement. In the nervous system our nerve cells (also called neurones) need an insulator which is made from special fats. Just as we have extension cords or cables from one port to another to connect two devices, our nerve cells have extensions. These extensions have layers of fats (the myelin sheath). In addition every cell in the body has a cell wall or cover that is made of special fats, called phospholipids. Without a well structured cover, the cell’s environment becomes disrupted and unregulated. A small portion of the cell cover even has cholesterol and this is one reason why cholesterol isn’t a total criminal; while it is excess, that is linked to poor cardiovascular health. As electrical impulses travel through nerve cells, they are passing within myelin sheaths (layers of fatty material). Myelin sheaths are largely phospholipids. Different types of phospholipids are made within the body. It is recognised that folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are involved in the manufacture of phospholipids. Phosphatidyl choline is known to support liver health. Phospholipid levels can be enhanced by taking supplements, the most common usually being lecithin. As a healthy body involves healthy cells, it makes sense that helping to have well formed cell covers benefits the whole body. Nerve cells are differentiated from usual cells as they not only have the thin cell cover (composed mostly phspholoipds), but they also have strips/layers of phospholipids (myelin sheath) along their extensions. The electrical impulse within the body also incorporates the transfer of electrolytes, especially sodium and potassium. We should realise, that a lump of fat helps a healthy brain. That is if it’s of the required kind and amount. The saying of the ‘grey cells’ is often used to refer to your brain and thinking ability (in physiology and anatomy books it is common to read grey matter, which relates to the cell bodies of neurones). While it’s the extensions of neurones that are known as white matter. The term ‘white matter’ indicates the white-like fatty insulating covers to protect us against the electrical currents zipping through the cells.  The brain is composed at the forefront of the left and right hemisphere; this refers to the cerebrum (concerned generally with thoughts and thinking). While at the rear of the brain, there is a compartment called the cerebrum (concerned generally with physical activities and co-ordination). A small section, known as the hypothalamus, controls various important body functions, including the pituitary gland (divided into two sections). By controlling the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus is generally regulating the whole hormonal system. Hormones are the messengers of the body. The two sections of the pituitary gland are the higher staff members but the hypothalamus is the board of directors! Eating fish is said to boost brain health. Nuts and seeds could also be worthy of investing in for brain health. Well it’s known that essential fats in fish are used to form phospholipids, and as phospholipids are structured components of nerve cells it shows how fish can actually be helping electrical impulses. Our nervous system depends on numerous electrical impulses passing through nerve cells to keep us alert and processing. We process thoughts, stimuli and actions (even unthought-of actions, called reflex actions). The act of choosing to run is one action, while the act of breathing (respiration) is usually an unthought-of action. The brain is one component of the nervous system. There are the many extensive nerve cells and then there is the spinal cord running along the centre of our backs (spinal column). As our nervous system is highly complex and sensitive to injury, we have protective vertebrae around the spinal cord and a skull over the brain. The vertebrae and skull are part of the skeleton structure. The health of the nervous system relies on various nutrients as does the whole body. Taking regulated supplements to boost learning skills and mental functions has been shown by research to have noticeable effects. Special supplements that may help in older years include phosphatidyl serine. Even herbs have reported assisting effects in warding away mental degeneration (as may happen in the aged). Sage is commonly available and used in cooking widely, and for many years has been seen to protect mental health. What is clear is that healthy cells lead to healthy metabolism and consequently better functioning. A strong blood supply supports cell metabolism. Anything that compromises blood supply to the brain cells is adverse to mental wellness. Strokes are caused by blood flow disruption in the brain. Foods and exercise that increase blood circulation is probably useful in uplifting brain health. Red peppers and green peppers and its dried form, cayenne pepper, have been linked to improving blood circulating among the smaller blood vessels. Our brains depend on the small blood vessels to reach every essential part of the brain. All in all, fats certainly have their seat in a healthy diet. Anastacia Sampson D.N. Med |