Eat Fats for a Better Brain KH

Eat Fats For A Better Brain

March 1, 2023

By: Nikki Gould, RDN, CLT Kemper Wellness

March is National Nutrition Month! Did you know that there are specific eating styles that can help your brain work better? The brain has a high demand for the energy your food supplies, using over 20% of the calories you consume. Without a good fuel source, neurotransmitters, chemical messengers in the brain, are not produced and communication between neurons breaks down. What you choose to eat, or don’t eat for that matter, will determine whether you are fueling optimal health and cognitive function.
So, what is the best way to eat for brain health? There isn’t one diet that we recommend to everyone as it’s important to factor in current health conditions, food preferences, and individual biochemistry. However, one specific eating style seems to improve mental clarity, focus, energy, and mood more than others…The Ketogenic diet.
A Ketogenic diet is filled with high-fat foods and very low in carbs. While a Standard American diet contains around 65% carbohydrates, a ketogenic diet has less than 10%. It’s this reduction of carbs that switches the fuel source to the body. Rather than utilizing glucose (sugar) as fuel, a ketogenic diet provides ketones (fats) that the cells and brain just so happen to love. If you’re thinking “but I love bread and pasta!” you may benefit from a ketogenic diet the most, as it can often put an end to sugar cravings and crashes.
It’s important to note that not all ketogenic diets are created equal. That means there are many keto recipes and products that may be low in carbohydrates but aren’t the best for overall health. Look for plans that emphasize healthy fats like avocado, almonds, olive oil, coconut, and wild salmon, over bacon, cream cheese, and other processed cheeses.
If a ketogenic diet seems too restrictive, don’t worry! There are many other brain-healthy eating strategies with great impact on brain health. One good one is the Mediterranean diet. It emphasizes fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, legumes, and whole grains focusing on unrefined carbs rather than restricting them altogether. Whatever your diet preference, one thing is for sure, food is a powerful tool to better your brain and lead you on a road to healing and recovery. What’s on your plate?​
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Thank you so much for the loving care and compassion you showed to our mother and to us during her stay and death. We know, she was not the most compliant person, buy you showed her the same loving care no matter what. We were blessed to have her in your care. You are truly all angels. Thank you again!

Ann

I want to take the opportunity to thank you for the wonderful care you gave my dad the last 5 1/2 months of his life. If he couldn’t be at home with my mother, you were the next closest thing.

Barbara

Thanks to the staff for your ongoing care of my Dad. Your patience, kindness and caring for Dad help my Mom and I rest easy knowing he is in good hands at all times. Thanks for everything you do for him!

Sue

Every time my family visits each week for their porch visit mom looks FABULOUS! You and your whole organization really understand what to do with the residents and I have seen an amazing change. You are a blessing to our family.

Zachary M.

Thank you also for the very touching and beautiful memorial service and luncheon honoring Mom and Dad. It meant a lot to us to have all of you share your remembrances of them.

Marianne & family

We greatly appreciate all that you have done for my Dad and for us. Your compassion, dedication, and gentle ways were a tremendous help. No one ever said to us, “It will be okay,” instead you said “We’ll help you.”

Alzheimer’s and dementia are formidable foes and they strip the individuals stricken of all of their dignity, yet you and your staff work diligently to reinstate the dignity and you do it quite successfully.

Joseph

This is to thank you and all the Kemper staff who organized the memorial service last Friday. The content was perfectly appropriate and many of the participants expressed compliments to the kitchen staff for the great luncheon.

Eric

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