Nutrition to Support Your Nervous System

Posted May 2021
2021-06
Hommos, rocket, white beans & sundreied tomato on Corn Thins slices

There is a lot of attention to the impact of nutrition on your brain, but have you considered your nerves? Nerves are present all through your body and send messages to your brain. Sending the right message to your brain is vital for your body to function as it should and to maintain health.

Your nerves require nutrients to be able to function optimally.  There are specific vitamins, minerals, fat, and proteins which play an important role in your nerve health. Whole grains and whole grains containing foods like Corn Thins slices provide some of these nutrients which are needed support to help your central nervous system function. These include:

 

  1. Vitamins B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), B6 (Pyridoxine)

These three B vitamins play an important role in regulating normal nerve signaling throughout your body

 

  1. Potassium and Calcium

These two minerals are important for regulating the electrical signals sent by your nerves. When these signals fail to work properly diseases such as epilepsy can result.

 

  1. Tryptophan

This amino acid plays a role as a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger which sends a signal from one of your nerve endings to a second nerve.

 

Take home message: Your entire body is affected by the nutrition you decide to feed your body. Make sure you are selecting a variety of food which not only satisfy your taste buds but also look after your body’s functions.

 

References:

  1. Gomez-Pinilla, F., & Gomez, A. G. (2011). The influence of dietary factors in central nervous system plasticity and injury recovery. PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation, 3(6 Suppl 1), S111–S116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.20103.001
  2. https://www.brainandspineni.com/blog/4-tips-for-a-healthy-nervous-system/
  3. https://health.usnews.com/wellness/food/articles/2018-01-03/eating-to-promote-a-healthy-nervous-system

 

Ashleigh Felth…
Accredited Practising Dietitian
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