Sally Kravich :: Natural Health Expert

In the spirit of a question and answer column, Ask Sally is geared towards answering questions posed by real people. Rather than answer every individual, questions will be answered on the website in the form of a monthly theme. My regular clients however can be assured that I will personally answer their questions and emails.
Read the previous Ask Sally columns.

Brain Power

Omega 3 fatty acids, so abundant in the Stone Age, were essential to the evolution and development of the human brain. Our ancestral diet consisted of a combination of vegetables, seeds, wild animals, and fish. Research suggests that the high omega 3 ancestral diet promoted an increase in brain size. The shift from homo to homo sapiens involved large amounts of freshwater fish, shellfish, and wild game, all high in omega-3 fatty acids. Although protein, vitamins, and trace minerals are also important for brain development, the increased availability of long-chain essential fatty acids was the nutritional factor for emerging man’s enormous brain growth. The farm-bred livestock in modern man’s diet are raised on a high-carbohydrate grain diet with high saturated fat. This saturated fat produces higher omega-6s instead of the omega-3s that are essential for brain nourishment. What will happen to the human brain if we remove omega-3s from our diet? A lack of abundant and balanced fatty acids in utero can lead to lowered IQ scores and diminished visual skills. In addition, an omega-3 fatty acid deficiency leads to an increased risk for depression, bipolar disorder, and Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity disorder. Further consequences of omega-3 fatty acid deficiency include heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. If we are biologically identical to our Paleolithic ancestors, then we cannot expect today’s processed food to nourish and sustain the human brain and intellect. Scientists are now finding evidence that our increase in brain size has not only slowed, but has reversed. The human brain is now ten percent smaller than it was a century ago. This shrinkage is linked to a wide number of factors including the widespread shortage of omega-3 fatty acids in recent generations.

10 Items NOT in the Evolutionary Diet:

Refined White Sugar
Refined White Flour
Refined White Rice
Saturated Fat
Fake Food
Soda, carbonated beverages, diet drinks
Artificial Sweeteners
Preservatives
Condiments
Packaged Food

10 Ways to Feed Your Evolving Brain:

Eat a huge amount & colorful array of vegetables.
Eat plentiful berries that are high in antioxidants, and seasonal fruit.
If eating animal products eat organic, kosher free-range poultry, eggs or lean meats and wild game.
Eat beans & legumes of all kinds
Eat raw nuts & seeds
Eat fatty fish: wild salmon, sardines, and mackerel
Eat a variety of sprouted whole grains.
Take fish oil capsules.
Add vitamin & mineral supplements.
Take these additional supplements: Phosphadytl Serine, Phosphadytl Choline, and Lecithin for added brain nutrition.

I personally eat a diet that is high in vegetables, wild caught fish, organic eggs, fruit, raw nuts and seeds, with small amounts of varied whole grains & legumes, a small amount of organic cow, sheep or goat yogurt, a minimal amount of goat or sheep cheese, and lots of fresh green juice.

Throughout the various stages of life, we need concentrated nutrients, especially the all-important Omega-3 fatty acids. The following stages of growth need nourishment for optimum development.

Suggestions for a Pre-natal Diet

You are what you eat, and a developing baby lives off of you and your nutrients. Therefore, it is imperative to pay attention to your diet. The nutrients you receive now will affect your developing baby. In fact, even months before pregnancy, your diet can affect the developing fetus. There are foods that are absolutely essential to eat before and during pregnancy. Along with a good prenatal vitamin, extra Calcium and Magnesium with Vitamin D and a good green supplement, concentrated Omega 3 fish oils are essential for your baby’s development. According to Japanese studies, pregnant women are advised to eat fish 3-4 times per week. If you take this advise, make sure you eat wild caught fish, and also a variety to avoid ingesting concentrated toxins.

Grade School Years

Supplements and wholesome nutrition can assist your child’s IQ scores. A growing problem among children is ADD or ADHD. Children with these disorders need extra omega-3s. There is a theory that they have a genetic glitch, which interferes with their ability to metabolize brain fats, so they need more than the average child in order for their brain to function normally. There is also the additional possibility that heavy metals and mercury toxicity can also contribute to brain malfunctions. Junk foods, saturated animal fats, and trans fats are toxic to the brain and kill the enzyme that allows the body to create essential fatty acids. Children with brain disorders, as well as any child, should avoid a junk food diet, refined sugar, and take plenty of Omega 3 fatty acids along with the enzymes, vitamins and minerals they need to support healthy brain function. In addition, homeopathic remedies can help to negate the effects of heavy metals.

Pre-teen to Teenage years

Supplements and wholesome nutrition can help study skills, memory, mood, learning ability, and attention span. Omega-3s help the brain, and help to maintain proper hormone levels when combined with B-complex vitamins and minerals, especially necessary during these teenage years when hormones are raging. It is essential to take these added nutrients and avoid vending machines.

Adult Years

“Research among adults of all ages finds that certain vitamin and mineral supplements improve mood, learning ability, memory, attention span, eye-hand coordination, and reaction times, even in people who show no overt signs of deficiency” (Carper, Jean Your Miracle Brain New York: Quill ).

A scarcity of folic acid is one of the most widespread vitamin deficiencies. About 60% of middle-aged men are deficient in folic acid. It would be wise to take a B100 complex that is high in folic acid along with Omega 3 fatty acids to support the brain, nervous system, and heart. Add Phosphadytl Serine and Choline as a boost for your memory and neurotransmitters.

Middle-Aged and Older People

Documentation shows that middle-aged and older people can stave off intellectual deterioration and retrieve mental faculties by taking vitamins, particularly antioxidants, B vitamins, and Omega 3 fish oil. European researchers showed in a survey of elderly men and women that those with high vitamin and antioxidant blood levels had stronger intellectual powers, less depression, and less risk of dementia. Nature provides antioxidants in fruits and vegetables. Folic acid, which helps to prevent strokes and ward off Alzheimer’s disease, is found in the bran of whole grains such as brown rice. Eating fish and taking supplements that are high in DHA and EPA also can help prevent dementia or Alzheimer’s. Older people lose the ability to synthesize DHA, which means they must consume it directly in fish or fish oil. B6 is also important for good mental functioning, and helps to keep the memory intact, while B12 prevents senility. So this would mean it would be wise to use a good B100 complex.


	ASK SALLY
Sessions Seminars Book Food Press Events Ordering Ask Sally Biography Contact Home Page	In the spirit of a question and answer column, Ask Sally is geared towards answering questions posed by real people. Rather than answer every individual, questions will be answered on the website in the form of a monthly theme. My regular clients however can be assured that I will personally answer their questions and emails. Read the previous Ask Sally columns. Brain Power Omega 3 fatty acids, so abundant in the Stone Age, were essential to the evolution and development of the human brain. Our ancestral diet consisted of a combination of vegetables, seeds, wild animals, and fish. Research suggests that the high omega 3 ancestral diet promoted an increase in brain size. The shift from homo to homo sapiens involved large amounts of freshwater fish, shellfish, and wild game, all high in omega-3 fatty acids. Although protein, vitamins, and trace minerals are also important for brain development, the increased availability of long-chain essential fatty acids was the nutritional factor for emerging man’s enormous brain growth. The farm-bred livestock in modern man’s diet are raised on a high-carbohydrate grain diet with high saturated fat. This saturated fat produces higher omega-6s instead of the omega-3s that are essential for brain nourishment. What will happen to the human brain if we remove omega-3s from our diet? A lack of abundant and balanced fatty acids in utero can lead to lowered IQ scores and diminished visual skills. In addition, an omega-3 fatty acid deficiency leads to an increased risk for depression, bipolar disorder, and Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity disorder. Further consequences of omega-3 fatty acid deficiency include heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. If we are biologically identical to our Paleolithic ancestors, then we cannot expect today’s processed food to nourish and sustain the human brain and intellect. Scientists are now finding evidence that our increase in brain size has not only slowed, but has reversed. The human brain is now ten percent smaller than it was a century ago. This shrinkage is linked to a wide number of factors including the widespread shortage of omega-3 fatty acids in recent generations. 10 Items NOT in the Evolutionary Diet: Refined White Sugar Refined White Flour Refined White Rice Saturated Fat Fake Food Soda, carbonated beverages, diet drinks Artificial Sweeteners Preservatives Condiments Packaged Food 10 Ways to Feed Your Evolving Brain: Eat a huge amount & colorful array of vegetables. Eat plentiful berries that are high in antioxidants, and seasonal fruit. If eating animal products eat organic, kosher free-range poultry, eggs or lean meats and wild game. Eat beans & legumes of all kinds Eat raw nuts & seeds Eat fatty fish: wild salmon, sardines, and mackerel Eat a variety of sprouted whole grains. Take fish oil capsules. Add vitamin & mineral supplements. Take these additional supplements: Phosphadytl Serine, Phosphadytl Choline, and Lecithin for added brain nutrition. I personally eat a diet that is high in vegetables, wild caught fish, organic eggs, fruit, raw nuts and seeds, with small amounts of varied whole grains & legumes, a small amount of organic cow, sheep or goat yogurt, a minimal amount of goat or sheep cheese, and lots of fresh green juice. Throughout the various stages of life, we need concentrated nutrients, especially the all-important Omega-3 fatty acids. The following stages of growth need nourishment for optimum development. Suggestions for a Pre-natal Diet You are what you eat, and a developing baby lives off of you and your nutrients. Therefore, it is imperative to pay attention to your diet. The nutrients you receive now will affect your developing baby. In fact, even months before pregnancy, your diet can affect the developing fetus. There are foods that are absolutely essential to eat before and during pregnancy. Along with a good prenatal vitamin, extra Calcium and Magnesium with Vitamin D and a good green supplement, concentrated Omega 3 fish oils are essential for your baby’s development. According to Japanese studies, pregnant women are advised to eat fish 3-4 times per week. If you take this advise, make sure you eat wild caught fish, and also a variety to avoid ingesting concentrated toxins. Grade School Years Supplements and wholesome nutrition can assist your child’s IQ scores. A growing problem among children is ADD or ADHD. Children with these disorders need extra omega-3s. There is a theory that they have a genetic glitch, which interferes with their ability to metabolize brain fats, so they need more than the average child in order for their brain to function normally. There is also the additional possibility that heavy metals and mercury toxicity can also contribute to brain malfunctions. Junk foods, saturated animal fats, and trans fats are toxic to the brain and kill the enzyme that allows the body to create essential fatty acids. Children with brain disorders, as well as any child, should avoid a junk food diet, refined sugar, and take plenty of Omega 3 fatty acids along with the enzymes, vitamins and minerals they need to support healthy brain function. In addition, homeopathic remedies can help to negate the effects of heavy metals. Pre-teen to Teenage years Supplements and wholesome nutrition can help study skills, memory, mood, learning ability, and attention span. Omega-3s help the brain, and help to maintain proper hormone levels when combined with B-complex vitamins and minerals, especially necessary during these teenage years when hormones are raging. It is essential to take these added nutrients and avoid vending machines. Adult Years “Research among adults of all ages finds that certain vitamin and mineral supplements improve mood, learning ability, memory, attention span, eye-hand coordination, and reaction times, even in people who show no overt signs of deficiency” (Carper, Jean Your Miracle Brain New York: Quill ). A scarcity of folic acid is one of the most widespread vitamin deficiencies. About 60% of middle-aged men are deficient in folic acid. It would be wise to take a B100 complex that is high in folic acid along with Omega 3 fatty acids to support the brain, nervous system, and heart. Add Phosphadytl Serine and Choline as a boost for your memory and neurotransmitters. Middle-Aged and Older People Documentation shows that middle-aged and older people can stave off intellectual deterioration and retrieve mental faculties by taking vitamins, particularly antioxidants, B vitamins, and Omega 3 fish oil. European researchers showed in a survey of elderly men and women that those with high vitamin and antioxidant blood levels had stronger intellectual powers, less depression, and less risk of dementia. Nature provides antioxidants in fruits and vegetables. Folic acid, which helps to prevent strokes and ward off Alzheimer’s disease, is found in the bran of whole grains such as brown rice. Eating fish and taking supplements that are high in DHA and EPA also can help prevent dementia or Alzheimer’s. Older people lose the ability to synthesize DHA, which means they must consume it directly in fish or fish oil. B6 is also important for good mental functioning, and helps to keep the memory intact, while B12 prevents senility. So this would mean it would be wise to use a good B100 complex.