<div><em>A combination of right nutrients and supplements can help keep your brain always active and agile, <strong>Rachna Chhachhi</strong> writes</em></div><div> </div><div>Ever wondered why some people are happy, composed or patient while the others are crabby, snappy and irritable? All of us need our brains so that we can think of new ideas, listen to people (patience), put up with irritants (good mood) and stay alert (to work). So how do you ensure that your workday is seamless and your mood swings don’t cost you your appraisal?</div><div> </div><div>The human brain is a funny chap. It needs nutrients and specific exercises to function well, sharpen memory and stay calm. Follow these steps to achieve your nirvana status and everyone will be wondering if you took a calming course!</div><div> </div><div>Give it the memory vitamin: Vitamin B is the nerve vitamin. Messages are transmitted efficiently from the nerves to the brain if there is an abundance of B vitamins in our diet. Many studies have shown that in patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s, the key missing link was deficiency of B vitamins, specifically B12 and folic acid. And when they were added, an increase in memory power resulted. However, taking B vitamins in isolation doesn’t work. You have to consume it in combination with other B vitamins for better absorption. Good sources are marmite on whole wheat toast, chicken, fresh soy beans, brown rice, eggs and shellfish. You can also pop a pill, but ensure it’s a wholesome B vitamins pill with folic acid and is consumed after breakfast.</div><div> </div><div>Give it the calming effect. The brain needs good fats to function well and stay calm. And the king amongst good fats is fish oil, a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which play an important role in brain function. People with depression have been shown to have low blood levels of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are in abundance in fish oil. Even patients with severe mood swings, women with PMS and those suffering from anxiety disorders have shown to benefit from fish oil as it calms the brain. Good sources are oily fish like tuna, mackerel, sardines, salmon and rawas. For vegetarians, a fish oil capsule along with a fruit does the job.</div><div> </div><div>Give it some spike. A coffee at 3 pm usually gives a memory boost to a slumping afternoon. Research has shown that 2-3 cups of coffee have been linked to reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. It also temporarily boosts your brain power and makes you more alert. So if you don’t suffer from hypertension or palpitations, go for that cuppa caffeine.</div><div>Give it some nirvana. Just before you sleep at night, try this: a hot cup of chamomile tea with honey, and 5 min of anulomvilom. A combination of these practiced every night will unwind and calm your brain and take away the edginess of the day. This will help you sleep better, which is absolutely essential to rejuvenate the brain so that you can solve the world’s problems the next day. </div><div>Follow these and see yourself being transformed in just two weeks.</div><div> </div><div><strong>Question Of The Fortnight</strong></div><div>Send in your questions to askrachnachhachhi@gmail.com</div><div> </div><div>I’ve just been short listed for a dream job, but the company is hesitating to take me because I’m obese. Isn’t that unfair? How will it affect my work? Should I sue them? </div><div>— Rishabh Khosla, Gurgaon</div><div> </div><div>Dear Rishabh,</div><div>I must say this company is advanced and thoughtful! More organisations should be doing this. Being unhealthy means they’re investing in an unstable resource. Due to your obesity, you can be laid up in bed due to sudden hypertension, a spike in blood sugar or gout pain. This will make them lose man-days. Get your act together, reassure them that you will lose weight and take it up as a career advancement opportunity.</div><div> </div><div><div><em>The author is a certified nutritional therapist and WHO certified in nutrition. She is the writer of Restore, a book on how to fight diseases for working professionals</em></div><div> </div></div><div>(This story was published in BW | Businessworld Issue Dated 27-07-2015)</div>
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