Nutritional Guide to regenerate myelin and maintain a healthy brain
Myelin is a lipoprotein that is found in the body of vertebrates and which covers the stem of the neurons or nerve cells, so its function is being the transmission and routing of electrical nerve impulses or send and receive messages of any kind to the body. When myelin is lost or damaged, nerve impulses are slowed down (slows down the process of the nervous system) or fail to be transmitted, can cause a short circuit in the conduction of nerve impulses that can cause nervous system dysfunction creating sensory deficits as blurred vision, poor coordination and identification of handedness, difficulty walking, go to the bathroom very often (due to insufficient control of sphincters), paralysis, etc.
Multiple sclerosis is the more common demyelinating disease, this disease attacks the central nervous system and myelin generating phases of remission (or shoots), and whose symptoms include any combination of partial blindness (blurring or gray vision), spastic paraparesis, unsteady gait, dizziness, diplopia, and incontinence.
To care, prevent and heal the smooth transmission and conduction of the nervous system, is essential that myelin gets produced properly, and for this, is essential to maintain a diet with those nutrients required for good production and regeneration.
Food that damages the myelin and nervous system functions
- Harmful or saturated fats: avoid at all costs as fried sausages, maximally reduce red meat, cow's milk and derivatives.
- Refined sugar: This fast-absorbing carbohydrate is one of the strongest irritants of the nervous system; it deteriorates and eventually produces a host of conditions. Do all your effort to avoid sodas, processed foods, pastries and sweets, ketchup and anything that contains it.
Foods that nourish and repair the myelin
- Supplements and vitamins: you should take food supplements rich in folic acid and vitamin B12, vitamin essential for the protection of the nervous system and adequate repair of myelin, as well as help prevent damage. Research has confirmed that people with multiple sclerosis and who included folic acid treatment in their diets with significantly improved both the symptoms and the repair of myelin.
- Folic acid: essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system. Foods that contain it are whole grains. .
- Green tea and anti-inflammatory herbs and vegetables: to protect the myelin sheath, is necessary to reduce inflammation in the body, which is the mainstay of treatment for multiple sclerosis. Green tea, white willow, lemon tea or citrus, devil's claw, as well as vitamin C and D, should not miss in your diet.
- Vitamin C: it is a great debugger, inflammatory and potent antioxidant; it is certainly recommended to keep the body with an immune system in good condition, free of body fat and toxins to help reduce inflammation. All this is necessary to make the nervous system work properly and the myelin gets well protected. Vitamin C can be found in foods such as citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, etc.), broccoli, seaweed, guava, etc.
- Essential fatty acids: should be included in the daily diet; they are essential for the production and maintenance of myelin sheaths, which are composed mainly of oleic acid. Did you know that your brain is made of 60 percent fat? But good fats like fat omega-3 and omega-6.
- Oleic acid: Olives are a rich source of this essential amino acid, an omega-6 is also found in fish, chicken, walnuts, extra virgin olive oil and seeds.
- Omega-3: deep-sea fish contain good amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, which are involved in brain function by improving nerve impulse transmission, as well as to help reduce inflammation in the body.
- Vitamin A and D: are extra supports for the immune system to be in good condition and assist in recovery of myelin damage in case of demyelinating diseases. Orange vegetables such as papaya, oranges, carrots, etc., are rich in vitamin A, and cod liver oil is a good source of vitamin A, D and essential fatty acids. Vitamin D has been one of the best options to reduce the risk of demyelination and multiple sclerosis significantly.
- Amino Acids: are essential for the transmission of brain messages; they are the bricks with which proteins are constructed to improve communication skills within the brain. We recommend you include in your diet amaranth (contains all essential amino acids your body needs), brewer's yeast, seaweed and spirulina (which is also rich in minerals and vitamins).
- Fruits: fruit sugar is an elixir for the brain. Consume 3 or 4 pieces of fruit a day, but avoid combining them with other foods. Blueberries and grapes are great to eat between meals instead of candy.
Plus…
- You need to balance your blood glucose, including in your diet foods high in carbohydrates of slowly release as whole grains, vegetables, etc. These are the best fuel for the brain and nervous system, are not toxic substances in the body and release their energy in a slow and steady way.
- Drink plenty of water: Did you know that water is a better conductor of electrical impulse? So in your diet should not miss at least 2 liters of pure water per day.
- Avoid cooking too much rich foods: as they lose many of their natural nutrients. Try to eat raw as possible.
- Seeds: Seeds are a super food for all functions of the nervous system.
- Do not forget to exercise: which stimulates a strong influence in general body functions, helps the brain to be well oxygenated and releases tension. Try to choose an activity you enjoy a lot, because when you enjoy your brain secretes hormones that cause joy and welfare states, which helps greatly to stimulate the neural connections.