It’s the new year! If you want to start it off on the right foot, then try these two power foods that are scientifically proven to boost your mental performance!
Turmeric and Curcumin
Turmeric is the new superfood and for good reason. This deep yellow spice is the key ingredient in curry powder. Not only does it add a good kick of flavor to your food, it has a number of benefits that can boost your mental performance and health!
Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric can directly enter the brain and benefit the cells with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. While this sounds a little scary, turmeric actually helps your brain in all of the following ways:
Improves Memory
Turmeric may help improve memory in people with Alzheimer’s and older adults. It may also help clear the amyloid plaques that are a hallmark of this disease!
The study conducted brain scans on patients with Alzheimer’s to assess levels of the beta-amyloid and tau, which are proteins that are considered a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
Results revealed that the subjects who took curcumin twice daily demonstrated a 28 percent improvement in memory tests over the course of the study, while those who took the placebo showed no significant memory improvements.
Eases Depression
Curcumin actually boosts your serotonin and your dopamine — feel good and happy chemicals in your brain — to improve your mood. Those with depression are usually very familiar with one of its side effects: lack of motivation. Turmeric can help give you a natural boost to help you feel better and get your motivation up to where you want it to be.
Helps Your Brain Cells Grow
Turmeric can actually help your brain grow new brain cells. It boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a type of growth hormone that helps brain cells grow!
However, there is something to keep in mind about these studies and benefits. Most of them are conducted using high levels of turmeric — from 500-2,2000 mg per day — which is well above the usual consumption rate. This is because the studies focus on curcumin, which only makes up about 3-6% of turmeric.
Therefore, while adding turmeric to your food may be beneficial, you may need to use a curcumin supplement under a doctor’s guidance to obtain the results reported in these studies. We recommend trying it first by IV! Our mobile IV therapy service comes right to you, so you don’t have to worry about leaving your home or finding the right supplement at a pharmacy.
You can also mix a ton of other performance boosting vitamins in your IV as well, such as vitamin B12, vitamin C, and glutathione! Try it today to feel amazing tomorrow!
Pumpkin Seeds Protect Your Brain
Pumpkin seeds aren’t just an autumn fad food, they’re actually really good for you. They contain powerful antioxidants that protect the body and brain from free radical damage. They’re also an excellent source of magnesium, and zinc, all of which are essential for your brain’s development and health!
Zinc
This element is crucial for nerve signaling. Without those signals, your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and Parkinson’s disease increases!
Zinc is a trace element that is used to create new neurons in your brain’s hippocampus. That means it helps create new pathways for your brain to develop your memories, emotions, and other important brain functions and sensations.
Low levels of zinc in the body can stunt this process, making it difficult for your brain to create, and store new memories. So, adding zinc to your diet, especially if you’re deficient can help improve your mental performance and memory!
Magnesium
Magnesium is essential for learning and memory. Low magnesium levels are linked to many neurological diseases, including migraine, depression, and epilepsy. Studies have shown that magnesium prevents loss of synapses and maintains synaptic plasticity in experimental models of Alzheimer’s disease, protecting cognitive function.
Don’t like pumpkin seeds? Try IV Revival! We can also get you set up with magnesium and zinc too! Give us a call or visit us online to set up your appointment today!