9) Organ Meats
Organ meats are delicious which tap the salivary glands intensely. Liver is highly preferred for its iron content. Iron binds oxygen to hemoglobin. Hence both nutrition and oxygen supply to the tissues is ensured. Organ meats are rich in vitamin B6 and chromium which converts protein into adrenalin and dopamine. Adrenalin increases will power and confidence. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for being wakeful and makes you attentive. It’s true that as your go up the hierarchy from plants to animals, the toxic level increases. But if you are concerned, then go with vegetarian diet. However, the liver in your diet neutralizes the toxins which are already deposited in your fat or adipose tissues and central nervous system. What they do store are vitamins A, D, E, K, B12, folic acid, copper, and iron; a very impressive list for just one ingredient of your meal.
10) Dark and Leafy Greens
Vegetables stand neck and neck with good steak in nutritional terms. The veggie items that figure in the top of the list are kale, lentils, broccoli, turnips, lettuce, peas and romaine. Fiber diet with high nutritional content adds to both your mental as well as physical strength. Dark and leafy greens are good source of folic acid of vitamin B family. It’s is an effective anti-depressant that helps your nerves to cope with stress. Cancer is also prevented to a great extent by folic acid. Studies conducted in California and Finland reveals that lower levels of folic acid are a predisposing factor for depression. But folic acid of adequate levels in the body always helps to remain immune to depression.
11) Fish
Fishes are rich in omega-3 oils. Your body cannot synthesis omega-3 oils naturally. So diet with omega-3 is inevitable as your sensory neurons and brain as a whole is strengthened by omega-3 oils. It’s a powerful anti-depressant that protects brain nerve cells and enables easier communication with each other. Cod liver oil, mackerel and salmon are natural friends to your neurons. Omega-3 oils help emotional centers of brain called DHA. Brain has white matter and gray matter. Around 20 percent of gray matter is made up of DHA. The happiness curve shows upward trajectory when you have more gray matter in hippocampus, amygdale and cingulate of your brain.
12) Go Nuts!
Nuts are rich in Vitamin E or tocopherol which is known as fertility promoting vitamin. It counters depression. Magnesium mineral found in nuts help’s your brain in serotonin production and fight depression. Nuts are also a good source of omega-3 oils. If you are in continental location without seashore and poor availability of sea foods, you may smartly opt for nuts which are also rich omega-3 oils like fish. Brazil nuts are rich in selenium which fortifies your brain to remain stress free and immune to depression. Too much of anything is good for nothing. You can have limited number of nuts per day, say 5-6 per day, as the serotonin and selenium content has to be kept within physiological limit as neither low nor too high.
