What to eat to support the brain’s innate healing ability

Rebuilding through neuroplasticity Science recently has discovered that the human brain is amazingly resilient and can reorganize and form new neural connections and pathways between intact neurons to compensate for damage and function loss. This adaptive mechanism is termed neuroplasticity. Because of their belief in the body’s innate recuperative power, homeopathic doctors are capable of leading the way in treating patients suffering from previously thought untreatable brain injuries, diseases, or disorders. Diet and nutrition Nutrition and homeopathic care always have been complementary, so what dietary and nutritional recommendations should the homeopathic community give to the brain-injured patient to aid the brain’s innate healing? The best way to ensure brain healing is to eat foods that add supportive nutrition to the brain, while eliminating foods that may be damaging. The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, moderate protein, high-fat diet that puts the body into a metabolic state known as ketosis (fat burning). This diet may be helpful for brain injury recovery and support. Other diets that support brain health include the Mediterranean and Okinawan. Whether the patient chooses the Okinawan diet—one of the factors in the lives of high-functioning centenarians—or the Mediterranean diet, which has some evidence for being “a potential strategy to reduce cognitive decline in older age,” is discretionary. Because both emphasize vegetables, fruits, and fish as a source of protein and low glycemic load , both would be rich in polyphenols and the healthier polyunsaturated fats and would have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. 1 The most important point, however, is to eat foods that are non-inflammatory and do not cause allergic reactions in the brain or body. Two of the most common allergic foods for most people are gluten and dairy. Recommended foods for brain health and healing are good fats; green and colorful vegetables; dark fruits […]

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