Your brain plays a key role in every major body system. It is made up of a large mass of nerve tissue that’s protected within the skull. Its main function includes regulating blood pressure and breathing, releasing hormones, and processing of sensory information.
There are certain conditions that can affect your brain and these include:
- Brain tumors
- Psychological conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia
- Brain injuries, such as concussions
- Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Huntington’s disease, dementia, or Parkinson’s disease
- Cerebrovascular injuries, such as strokes or aneurysms
Aside from these, studies also found that the brain is vulnerable to modern man-made chemicals but luckily, there are simple ways to prevent this from happening in order for you to avoid brain injuries.
Worst Brain Offenders
Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are widely used in processed foods such as:
- Soft drinks, powdered drink mixes, and other beverages
- Jams and jellies
- Dairy products
- Canned foods
- Baked goods
- Candy
- Puddings
- Other products branded as “sugar-free”
These artificial sweeteners have been found to negatively affect the brain function, causes impaired cognition, and increases a person’s risk of dementia and stroke.
At present, aspartame is one of the most popular artificial sweeteners available on the market. According to studies, aspartame can cause a multitude of ailments including birth defects, weight gain, cancer headaches, seizures, dizziness, slurred speech, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), lupus, multiple sclerosis, and depression.
To avoid artificial sweeteners, always read the labels of the foods you are buying. Avoid consuming foods with labels claiming that they are “healthy” sugar-free products.
Fluoride
Fluoride is designed to fight off tooth decay however, studies have found that it can have a debilitating effect on the function of the brains.
According to the Fluoride Action Network (FAN), results of numerous studies have shown that fluoride can cause degeneration of specific parts of the brain, fetal brain damage, memory and learning impairment, lowered IQ, and altered neuro-behavioral function.
You can avoid fluoride by using water filters a home, switching to a non-fluoridated toothpaste, buying organically grown fruits and vegetables, switch to stainless steel cooking pans, and avoid processed foods.
Heavy Metals
Toxic heavy chemicals have been added to a lot of modern industrial and agricultural processes. These chemicals are not easily ejected by the body. Industrial contamination of seafood, vaccines, and dental procedures are some of the ways wherein toxic metals enter the brain and bodies of millions.
Newborn babies, even though they have not yet developed the blood-brain barrier, are often subjected to an intense vaccination schedule that injects mercury directly into their bodies. Exposure to mercury of babies with a genetic shortage of enzymes that detoxifies heavy metals can lead to brain damage that manifests as autism.
In order to ensure your safety from toxic mercury and other heavy metals, you should be extra careful when consuming seafood and also avoid mercury fillings, flu shots, and chemicals.