6 Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy this Thanksgiving

The holidays are a time of celebration, family gatherings and, most importantly, feasts. This Thanksgiving season sets the tone for the remainder of the year and typically consists of overindulging, sedentary lifestyle, and overly ambitious goals when the new year arrives. Make it a Brain Healthy Thanksgiving with the right mindset for yourself and your family and set yourself up for success. The following are great guidelines to consider when planning your spread:

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  1. Low Glycemic Index

    When you consume any carbohydrate, the body breaks it down into simple sugars. This causes a spike in blood sugar and can have negative effects on your brain and body health. In diabetic patients, nerve pain called neuropathy is a common side effect of continuous spikes in blood sugar. Damage also occurs to nerve cells in the brain! Glycemic index is determined by how fast the food is digested and converted to blood sugar – the lower, the better. A great substitute this Thanksgiving for mashed potatoes would be sweet potatoes, winter squash, or cauliflower as these are lower glycemic foods that do not spike your blood sugar as rapidly as regular potatoes.

  2. Cooking Methods

    Variables to consider include cooking duration, heat level and consistency. Temperature matters as well; whether you are choosing to roast, bake, or fry. To lower the glycemic index of any carbohydrate, try steaming your vegetables instead of roasting or frying them. The same goes for how you prepare the carbohydrates. For example: mashed, diced and whole potatoes all have different glycemic indexes. If you choose to use potatoes, keep them whole and baked instead of mashed.

  3. Sugar Alternatives

    Instead of using refined sugar or corn syrup, substitute with natural sweeteners such as honey. Corn syrup has been shown to negatively affect memory and learning, two very important components of proper brain function. Honey is also a lower glycemic index food than refined sugar because it contains fructose, which is broken down more slowly by the body. Additionally, there are many health benefits of using local honey. Not only is it known to help with controlling seasonal allergies, but also has high amounts of antioxidants and essential vitamins such as B and C.

  4. Limit Gluten

    Gluten is inflammatory for almost every single one of us. The grain we consume today is not what you would’ve bought at the store 10 years ago. We have combined multiple proteins so the body no longer recognizes them and will attack them. Therefore, there is a continuous rise in gluten sensitivity and celiac disease, which is an autoimmune condition (i.e. body attacks itself!). Not only does gluten affect the passageways in the gut leading to a “leaky gut”, but it also affects our cerebellum – responsible for coordination, balance and cognition. There are many healthier alternatives available, such as almond or coconut flowers.

  5. Reduce Dairy

    For those with dairy sensitivities who experience bloating, joint pain, and headaches, try alternatives such as almond or cashew milk instead of cows’ milk. Many individuals used to substitute with soy milk, but we now know the impact it has on estrogen levels in males and females. Hormones impact brain function.

  6. Consume Healthy Fats

    If roasting the turkey or vegetables, use olive oil instead of canola. Olive oil contains antioxidants that fight free radicals and stresses to the body caused by our environments such as pollution, pesticides, and metal toxicity. Some studies support the use of extra virgin olive oil on halting the progression of aging of the brain. Additionally, olive oil contains anti-inflammatory properties which can help with overall brain function and aid in brain recovery from TBI, cognitive impairment, and more.

Parting Words

Lastly, and likely most important of all, “Stuff the Turkey, Not Yourself”. Over-consumption of calories is one of the biggest problems we face as a society. Excess caloric intake requires the body and brain to exhaust resources that would be normally using for healing. Plus, if you don’t use the calories you take in, they go right to belly fat – an accurate predictor of heart disease, diabetes, and more.

Be safe, be healthy, be thankful and make it a Brain Healthy Thanksgiving – and contact us for more information on metabolic and nutritional therapies!

Dr. Michael S. Trayford is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist and Neurofeedback Specialist with over 20 years of experience in the practice of advanced functional neurology. He is one of the most highly sought-after brain rehabilitation specialists because of the life-changing outcomes his patients consistently experience. After over a decade in private practice and working alongside other pioneers in the field, Dr. Trayford developed his multimodal intensive brain training and rehabilitation program built around the science of Neuroplasticity – the ability of the brain to learn and grow dependent upon the stimulation it receives from its environment. He later founded APEX Brain Centers to combine his ground-breaking rehabilitation approach with a unique patient and caretaker-centered care model. Under Dr. Trayford’s leadership, APEX Brain Centers has successfully treated thousands of patients and earned the reputation of a world-renowned brain training and rehabilitation practice. Since its inception, Dr. Trayford has been a leader of the Brain Training revolution treating patients worldwide. In addition, he is a published journal contributor and international lecturer. His experience with various patients of all ages and neurological conditions has given him a unique perspective on brain health and human performance. He is also well-versed in collaborating with other health care professionals, making him an invaluable asset to any care team. Dr. Trayford was awarded the Functional Neurologist of the Year distinction by the International Association of Functional Neurology and Rehabilitation, where he is a proud member and conference lecturer. Currently, he serves on the Advisory Council for the Dementia Society of America and the Board of Directors for the International Society for Neuroregulation and Research. He is also a servant leader who has dedicated his adult life to serving multiple communities through Rotary International and other notable causes. When he’s not treating patients, Dr. Trayford usually reads or researches anything related to the brain, human performance, and leadership. He also loves spending time outdoors with his wife Denise, their two daughters, and dogs in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina. https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichaeltrayford/

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