By Lizette Borreli / Source: Medical Daily

We have all heard the touted benefits of “smart” foods that can boost our brain power by increasing alertness, memory, and even brain cell production.

While we try to eat our way to good physical and mental health, we often ingest willingly, and unknowingly, foods that can have an impact on our brain development.

These “dumb” foods (and food additives), ranging from monosodium glutamate (MSG) to tofu, can be toxic to our brain cells even in small doses, affecting our alertness, memory, mood, and nervous system.

1. Caffeine

Many of us rely on this stimulant to get us through the day, whether we have one cup or three cups of coffee a day. When we drink caffeine, the body absorbs it quickly and passes it to the brain, according to Medline Plus, and then gets excreted through urine hours later.

Although it is not associated with brain damage, psychologists like Dr. Lauren Napolitano at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Pennsylvania believe in order to get a clear picture of someone’s baseline mental health, you must eliminate coffee.

“The number one thing people with mental health issues should avoid is caffeine,” Napolitano told Medical Daily in an email.

“Many people drink caffeine in order to combat symptoms of depression (lethargy, anhedonia) but unintentionally throw themselves into a manic episode or a panic attack.”

Although caffeine withdrawal may hurt for a day or two — you may find yourself accompanied by a headache — people tend to feel much calmer without it.

2. MSG

It is common to get a headache, a tightness in the chest, or even have vivid and bizarre dreams after eating Chinese food. A popular additive in Asian cuisine — MSG — is used by chefs to enhance the flavor, but it can wreak havoc on your brain health, attacking the brain stem.

As an excitotoxin, MSG overstimulates neuron receptors, causing a firing of impulses that they become extremely exhausted, and die hours later.

Dr. Chad Laurence, a corrective chiropractic in Delaware, warns any MSG derivative is negatively impactful on the brain.

“MSG is hidden in various sources, including: natural flavors, spices, hydrolyzed protein, autolyzed yeast extract, sodium caseinate, bouillons, soy protein isolate,” among many others, Laurence told Medical Daily in an email.

3. Precooked and Processed Foods

These types of foods overstimulate the production of dopamine, also known as the “pleasure” neurotransmitter that leads to excessive cravings.

Precooked and processed foods contain preservatives, additives, dyes, and artificial flavors that have the ability to affect our behavior and our cognitive functioning.

“Processed foods and any foods that are hyper-allergenic can take a toll on brain health,” said Brandon Mentore, sports nutritionist, and functional medicine practitioner, to Medical Daily in an email.

“The more chemical and synthetic the compounds in food are the harder they are to digest and detoxify.”

A 2012 study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found high-fat processed food consumption can cause damage to the hypothalamus part of the brain. This area is responsible for regulating hunger and thirst levels, and the body’s natural rhythms and cycles.

4. Salt

It comes as no surprise a high salt intake can take a negative toll on our health, including our mental health. Salt helps with the transmission of nerve impulses and water migration in and out of cells.

“A high salt intake particularly table salt can cause cellular activation to be hypertonic, which can be a good thing but in excess over time your body’s ability to relax and have proper fluid balance and nerve transmission will be down regulated as a protective measure in the body,” Mentore said.

A 2011 study published in Neurobiology of Aging found poor vascular health — associated with high-sodium diets, and a lack of exercise — may be related to a faster cognitive decline in old age.

Participants with the highest daily sodium intake — defined as 3,091 milligrams a day or more and a sedentary lifestyle — were more likely to show declining scores on tests of cognitive function over a three-year period compared to their counterparts.

Consuming processed foods can increase the risk of dementia, since they are typically high in sodium.

5. Sugar

If you’re constantly seeking a sugar rush, you could be putting your mental health in danger. Consuming high amounts of sugar over a period of time can cause neurological problems ranging from memory to the ability to learn.

Too much sugar in the blood can slow down your brain cells’ use of insulin to break down sugar to help process thoughts and emotions.

“The body’s ability to monitor this is usually handled by insulin but if consumption of sugar is too high inflammation encroaching on the brain will happen at some point,” Mentore said.

A 2012 study published in the Journal of Physiology found fructose slows down the brain and memory functions in rats. High fructose corn syrup is widely used in the U.S. and alters the brain’s ability to learn and remember information.

Americans should try to limit their sugar intake, which includes high-fructose corn syrup, and high-carb foods.

6. Tofu

This may come as a surprise to many, but the “healthy food” can be harmful if consumed in large quantities. A 2008 study published in Dementias and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders found evidence that a high consumption of tofu is associated with worse memory, especially for those over 68.

Although it is not entirely clear what effect soy products high in phytoestrogens have in the aging brain, they can heighten the risk of dementia and lower memory function.

7. Trans Fat

Trans fat is known to raise our “bad” (LDL) cholesterol levels and lower our “good” (HDL) cholesterol levels. A high consumption of trans fat can even lead to brain shrinkage.

The synthetic trans fats increase the amount of oxidation in our body and create an arterial stiffness, Mentore explained. “All of this plays into the vascularity and the plasticity of your brain and nerve transmission.

This can increase inflammation and plaguing in the brain.”

A 2012 study published in Neurology found a high intake of trans fat is linked to brain shrinkage. Scientists scanned the brains of the participants to ensure the brain volume would be measured accurately.

It was those who had high vitamin levels who had larger brains, and vice versa. Those with high trans fat diets were found to experience brain shrinkage similar to people with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Avoid or limit the consumption of these foods to age-proof your brain at any age.

 

 

What I’m about to share with you took me YEARS to figure out. Several agonizing, grueling years that I’ll never get back!

What I discovered has changed my life (and hundreds of others’ lives) around.

Here’s my story:

Just 3 years ago, I owed over 50k in debt after my business venture failed. I was in a VERYdark place.

I was absolute miserable. I had no money, no friends to turn to for support.

I’m not kidding when I say suicidal thoughts were crossing my mind.

Fast forward to today, I made over 500k in the last 2 years but I don’t even have a job (and it all began with a seed I planted in my mind!)

So, how did I finally do it?

My formula is simple, I call it the Miracle Mind Method.

First, I tapped into the power of my subconscious for an idea to make money.

Let me explain. You see, I struggled for years trying to make money in my business. Nothing seemed to work but I was working 12, sometimes 14 hours a day! I wasn’t looking to get rich quick… I was willing to work and do whatever it took.

Yet I failed miserably.

Why? Because I did not have the right idea!

So I gave my subconscious mind a crystal clear target to hit by constantly repeating a “secret word” out loud and silently to myself.

This is the absolute truth: I cannot account for any other thing that I may have done to change that I thought except for one thing: I constantly repeated the “secret word” day and night, silently and out loud for several days.

On or about the 3^rd day after repeating the “secret word” non-stop, I had an idea that catapulted my business from doing $1,000 a month or less to $10,000 the first month I put the idea into action!

Since then I have never made less them $10,000 a month in my business and I have had many months in which I’ve made $40,000, $50,000 even $70,000 – in one month!

Now even though this course is not about making money, I cannot attribute the change that occurred INSIDE ME to anything else except the constant repetition of the “secret word”

I had plenty of desire to succeed before I started using this technique, and I had more than enough motivation – I was heavily in debt and had a family to care for!

I didn’t change my diet… I didn’t do anything different for those 3 days than I normally did.

But what I did not have was any idea how I was going to make more money…

… until I used the “secret word”.

Now, if you’re skeptical let me say this:

I think that the key to why this worked was because it focused my mind on what I wanted so intensely that it forced me to come up with an innovative idea. It really worked like nothing else I have ever tried.

And even if you don’t believe my explanation why it worked, it will still work for you! That’s the great thing – you don’t even have to believe it will work!

Why? Because it’s just like turning on the engine in a car – you don’t need to see or understand the miracle of automotive engineering or know how it works in order to drive it! You just put the key in, turn it and start moving!

It’s the same thing with the Miracle Mind Method – there’s a lot under the hood going on but you don’t need to know how it works to take it for a test drive and experience the benefits and results!

If you’re still even a little skeptical The Mind Method is going to help you succeed in ways you never thought possible I want you to think about my story for a minute again.

I was $50,000 in debt, about to lose my home and my family and I turned it around using the Miracle Mind Method.

In a few days I went from $1,000 a month in income to $9,876 the first month I used it.

It has made a tremendous difference in my life, and I hope it does the same for you.

Are you ready to make a change in your life?

Are you ready to get that right idea?

If you have NOT read my program “Miracle Mind Method” – The One Secret Method to Living a Good Life that School, Friends and Everyone Else… Failed To Tell You About! Then you need to go and watch this FREE video training now

 

 

By: Charlene Barry / Source: Addicted 2 Success

There is a direct link between spirituality and health. According to medical studies spiritual people have less chance of getting addicted to smoking, drugs, alcohol or any other self destructive habit.

A spiritually enlightened individual even has less chance of getting depressed and committing suicide. This is mainly because spiritual learning can help people find a greater purpose in life and help them look at everyday challenges from a different point of view.

This greatly reduces their stress levels and improves their quality of life.

From Confucius to Osho the world has seen a long list of spiritual leaders. Their teaching and writings have helped many people discover themselves and understand the world around them.

To help you find your inner self, here’s our top 10 list of spiritual books for real spiritual and personal growth.\

1. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

This book by Deepak Chopra talks about achieving success with ease. Most of us believe that success only comes through unrelenting hard work and thus we devote our lives in the pursuit of achieving our personal goals.

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success gives a different take on success and how it can be achieved with ease and grace.

This book let’s you in on the 7 basic principle and how it can help you achieve all your goals without getting stressed out or working like a maniac.

The 7 Spiritual Laws of Success is practically oriented and the guidance provided can easily be understood and applied to real life.

2. The Book of Secrets

The word ‘Tantra‘ often gives rise to the feeling of mystery and is often misinterpreted by many people. However, this book by Osho demystifies this ancient science and presents in a manner that it can be applied to modern life.

The Book of Secrets talks in detail about meditation and how it can help improve self awareness and improve the daily functions of life. Each meditation and exercise is explained in detail discussing its history and effects on the mind and body.

The instructions provided in the book are practical and are easy to follow and implement.

3. The Celestine Prophecy

This book by James Redfield has the power to change lives. Presented in the form of an adventure which starts in the rain forest of Peru, this book is both riveting and eyeopening.

An ancient manuscript discovered in the forest reveals 9 ancient insights of life. The story also helps you connect these insights to your everyday life.

The Celestine Prophecy can help you make a sense of what’s happening around you and help you understand what’s in store for you in the future.

Published in 1992, The Celestine Prophecy went on to become one of the most successful self published book in the history.

4. The Road Less Traveled

Written by Psychiatrist M. Scott Peck, the book explores different ideas that’s drawn in from his experience in Psychiatry and his Christian ideology.

This book is divided into three parts. The first part is about discipline and how it can help in human spiritual evolution, the second part is about love and its role in spiritual growth, and finally the last part talks about grace.

Even though some of the ideas are a bit dated, the overall book is a certainly a great spiritual read.

5. The Places That Scare You

This is a no holds barred guide to not only face every difficulties in life but also to overcome them.

Author Perma Chodron is known for her direct approach towards life and thus her books are practical and uncomplicated.

This book talks about fear and how it inhibits us to achieve greatness in life even though we posses everything we need to succeed.

6. The Four Agreements

Featured in Oprah Magazine, The Four Agreement teaches ancient Toltec principles.

This is Don Miguel Ruiz masterpiece!

The Four Agreements talks in details about the belief and inhibitions that hold us back and can prevent us from achieving the goals we set.

These negative believes are also the source of depression and self loathing. Acting as light in a dark tunnel, the book sheds light on the basic codes of conduct that can help eradicate these feelings forever.

This book possesses the power to open your heart towards new experiences, love, freedom and overall happiness.

7. The Power of Now

Eckhart Tolle is certainly one of the top spiritual writers of the modern times and his book, The Power of Now has featured in the bestseller list in almost every book store spanning all across the country.

The Power of Now talks about transcending into the ‘Now’, leaving inhibitions, doubt, ego, and fear forever.

In a typical Eckhart Tolle style, the book guides readers through this difficult spiritual journey using simple words and uncomplicated instructions.

This book contains all the stuff required to radically alter lives of the readers and help them step into a world of happiness, peace, and enlightened perception.

8. My Spiritual Journey

The Dalai Lama is undoubtedly one of the biggest spiritual leaders of our time.

Written by Dalai Lama himself, My Spiritual Journey is his life’s story and his understanding of the world around him.

Even though this book is not a typical spiritual guide book and contains no direct instructions, it provides an insight into eastern philosophy and spirituality.

9. The Ultimate Happiness Prescription

Happiness is the ultimate goal of human life. Most people toil for happiness for their entire lives yet has no clue on where to find.

This is exactly why, this Deepak Chopra masterpiece is such a good read.

The Ultimate Happiness Prescription prescribes 7 secret tips that can help you find joy even in the most difficult times.

Aiming at changing helping his readers, Deepak Chopra talks about happiness being the source of success and wealth and not the other way around.

10. A New Earth

Eckhart Tolle makes it twice in our list with his book A New Earth.

Eckhart talks about ending our inner conflicts, and goes into details about ego holds us back and keeps us from achieving mental peace and happiness.

A New Earth encourages and guides the readers to transcend to a higher state of mind. It also guides them on how to dispose their ego based consciousness which result in jealousy, anger, and overall unhappiness.

10 Greatest Lessons From Einstein
Source: Become Second To None (The Brain Guide Series)

Albert Einstein was an immortal of sciencethat made noteworthy changes and contributions in the 20th century. He was an inspiration for the remarkable scientists subsequent to him for his brilliant discoveries.

Einstein was prominent for his works in theoretical physics, a great philosopher of science for his simplicity and theory choice, realism and separability, etc. and an author of several books. Above all, Einstein was prominent as the father of modern physics.

There were four works of Einstein that substantially contributed to the foundation of modern physics. These works relate to photoelectric effect, Brownian motion, special relativity and matter – energy equivalence. The four areas of focus were the justification for the discovery and explanation of quantum theory, atomic theory and concepts on matter, space and time.

Einstein received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 “for his services to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.”

Aside from his triumphant academic career, Einstein was a distinguished teacher not only to the confines of the classroom, but as well as to the globe. His works were indeed immortal and superior from his lessons on the subject of life. For that superiority, everybody ought to remember at least 10 quotes from him, which brings forth valuable lessons about life.

Lesson 1: Cultivate a Curious Mind

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” Do not hold back curiosity. It has a reason for its existence. Keep a questioning mind.

Lesson 2: The Worth of Perseverance is Intangible

“It’s not that I’m so smart; it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” The price of perseverance is beyond the corporeal things. It cannot be measured. It cannot be sold. It has no price.

Lesson 3: Devote Attention To One Thing At A Time

“Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.” Do not do several tasks at once. It is in doing one task at a time that excellence is achieved.

Lesson 4: Give Weight to Imagination

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions. Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Imagination is cheaper than free. It is in imagination that one recognizes the knack he has.

Lesson 5: Mistakes Are Inevitable

“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” More often than not, mistakes are stepping stones to new discoveries. It is part and parcel of living.

Lesson 6: The Future is Not Ours to See

“I never think of the future – it comes soon enough.” The future is a result of the things we do today. Thinking what lies beforehand is not a bad scheme, but most of the time the present is being neglected.

Lesson 7: Value is Superior to Success

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” Success is a goal worth striving for. However, creating value has an enduring effect for people to remember.

Lesson 8: Change Triggers Another Result

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results’. Different results occur when you change the way you do things. Only unwise people will expect a different result from doing the same thing over and over again. Different results will only be possible by way change.

Lesson 9: Information is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience

Lesson 10: Understand the Basics

“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”

If you find the information presented above useful…

…you will find more useful killer information at “Become Second To None“… a unique brain power guide that’s guaranteed to improve your IQ and brain power!