Unforgettable lessons from losing one's memory

I had a bad case of food poisoning recently and it was so bad that it kept me awake all night long.   From past experiences, I learned that it is wiser to let all the poison out rather than arrest it midway with medication.  

At the price of my precious sleep, I decided to beat the disease and expel the bad organisms that invaded my gut.  My stomach got settled all right, but my brains got so blurred and fuzzy to the point of mental blank.  

The afternoon after my ordeal, I tried to answer some e-mails and I could not remember the password to my g-mail or to any of my e-mail addresses no matter how hard I tried.  I panicked and called my doctor and the first thing he asked me was, “Did you hydrate yourself with water throughout your ordeal?”  Bingo, that was the culprit!  Lack of water, which muddled my brain functions.

Because my stomach felt extended and bloated, I was fearful to take in anything that might further upset my digestive system. I failed to remember that water was needed to replenish the liquid that I was expelling. In fact, water with electrolytes (like Pocari) was the better option. My doctor explained that water is the best nourishment for brain function.  Since the brain is composed of 80-percent water, it is imperative that we drink a lot of water to keep our brains hydrated.  Even a slightly dehydrated brain can raise the stress hormone in a person, causing the brain to malfunction.  

After my talk with my doctor, I put a liter of water in front of me and made sure I drank it in the span of two hours.  I also ate a salmon as, based on my research, omega 3-rich food is good for the brain.  I realized that intelligence is not only genetic and inherited from our parents but can also be determined by the environment, life experiences, and, most of all, diet.

Oxygen is very important for our brains.  Each of our hundred billion brain cells uses oxygen to stoke the fires of consciousness and the brain’s need for oxygen is 10 times greater than the rest of the body.  Micronutrients from food can help maintain the oxygen balance in your brain.  They can help combat the free radicals (highly reactive forms of oxygen) that create chemical reactions which damage the brain cells. If free radicals get out of control, cells will be damaged faster than they can be repaired.  A lifetime of oxidative attacks can lead to diminished brain function.   Fruits and vegetables have a high degree of antioxidants, which protect your cells and brain from free radicals.  So it is so important to include fruits and vegetables in our diet.   Blueberry and blackberry are especially good for the brain since thy contain anthocyanins, which is the most powerful form of antioxidants.  Other fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants are strawberries, cranberries, spinach, raspberries, brussel sprouts, plums, broccoli, oranges, red grapes, red bell pepper, cherries, and kiwis.

Fish has long been thought as brain food because it is high in omega 3 fatty acids.  The neurons in the brain are rich in omega 3 fatty acids so adding fish or omega 3 in our diet indeed gives the brain a boost.  Fish also helps create a healthy emotional environment and a more positive and balanced mood.

Proteins from chicken and beef are good food for the brain as they contain tyrosine, an amino acid.  Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and cells and may help the neurotransmitters in the brain to send and receive information.  They also assist in handling body stress and help maintain and balance the blood sugar level.

Avocados, raisin, apples, and nuts contain a substance called boron which has the potential to increase the memory. Milk and eggs contain choline, which has been proven to improve brain function.

It is recommended not to consume food high in saturated fats because the body needs only good fats, which can be found in avocados, nuts, and fish.  Also avoid eating heavy meals. It has been proven that reducing your calories will extend your life and add quality to your life. It is also a benefit for your brain function.  The digestive process takes a lot of energy which in turn takes the energy away from your brain function.  This is the reason why it is difficult to be mentally sharp after a heavy meal. 

Probably the most difficult advice to follow, especially during the holiday season, as most people have sweet cravings, is avoiding foods high in sugar and simple carbohydrates. That means avoiding cakes, cookies, and desserts in general. Or if you cannot avoid them, eat them in moderation. They can give you an instantaneous surge of energy, but the high sugar and fat content (from the butter, oil, milk, eggs in most desserts) can leave you in a daze.

Losing my memory even for a short period of time was one of the most scary experiences in my life. It made me resolve to always prioritize brain food in my diet if I want to retain my cognitive abilities till my old age.  

— Sources: The  Franklin Institute; brain food editorials