To function optimally as you age, your brain needs nutritional support in two ways: First is proper nourishment and secondly, the ability to receive and respond to the nourishment properly. The right nutrients must be supplied through diet, but also, the channels within the brain must be open and clear of ama so that the nourishment can penetrate into the brain tissue and carry out its desired effects. Alsoadequate supply of hormones or phyto-hormonal molecules must be provided to our tissues. Again, the gaps within the tissue must also be clear, healthy and free of ama so these hormonal messenger molecules can penetrate your tissues and bring about their desired results. Supply—both nutritional and hormonal—is one essential factor, Delivery and interaction with the target tissue, in this case the brain, is another.

Supplying Your Brain with Nourishment.

The brain needs four basic types of nourishment: oxygen, glucose (blood sugar), fat and protein. Let’s look at how each of these impacts the health and functioning of your brain.

Oxygen. The brain is exquisitely sensitive to oxygen deprivation. In fact, the brain can survive only four minutes without oxygen, and then often with irreparable damage. Proper oxygen delivery of course relies on good circulation. Primarily, channels that carry oxygen-rich blood to the brain, i.e. your arteries, must be free of atherosclerosis to deliver optimal oxygenation to the brain. Moreover, healthy lungs and healthy red blood cells are also key elements in adequate oxygen delivery to the brain. (We women must be particularly alert to the latter, as iron deficiency with or without anemia, can lead to reduced brain oxygen, less productivity, and poorer mental performance.)

RX: Exercise (especially in unpolluted outdoor settings), pranayama, more deep breaths during the day, small amounts of black pepper in your food, and fresh fruits and vegetables can all enhance oxygenation of the brain, and thereby mental function.

Glucose. The brain’s preferred food is glucose, although it can also adjust to burning ketones, a type of fat metabolite, for its primary fuel. But eating lots of refined sugar, as discussed above, is not good for the brain, as any women who has had sleepiness, moodiness or other type of mental backlash after overdosing on chocolate chip cookies knows.

RX: Slow Release Carbs: Instead of refined sweets, keep your brain fuel tanked with slower-release carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Sweet, juicy fruits such as pears or a rich medjool date are especially good. Eating such fruits when you experience an energy dip in the late afternoon rather than a candy bar or cookie will give you tripti (trip tee,) a feeling of being truly nourished and satisfied.

Include the following special “brain foods” in your diet: medjool dates, almonds, walnuts, warm boiled milk, panir, stewed apples, sweet mango, cous cous, coconut meat in small amounts, and sweet, juicy pears.

Fat. The brain is an astonishing 60 percent fat. Every one of your neurons (brain cells) is insulated by a layer of fat. So it is no wonder that your brain needs fat for nourishment. However, the quality of the fat you give it determines the quality of the brain constituents your body will make from your diet. It is therefore important to eat healthy, pure oils, like organic olive oil. Stay away from non-organic, mechanically processed (over-heated), hydrogenated or otherwise altered fats. Avoid trans-fatty acids, such as margarine and other foods containing partially hydrogenated fats, and fatty cuts of meat.

Recent research has elucidated the importance of the essential fatty acids (EFA’s) for normal mood and brain function. For example, omega-3 fatty acids (one kind of EFA) found in wheat germ, walnuts, dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale, some fish and flax seed, have been found to be especially important in helping to regulate mood. Declining levels of these foods in the American diet since earlier in the twentieth century may be partly responsible for high rates of mental disorders such as major depression, bipolar disorder, post-partum depression and suicide, according to a Newsweek interview with Dr. Joseph Hibbeln, a psychiatrist at the National Institutes of Health who conducted dietary surveys on these oils. Yet at the same time, Dr. Hibbeln cautions against drawing early conclusions as the field is still in its infancy.

Interestingly, Vedic medicine has traditionally viewed walnuts as “brain food,” and cited the structural allegory implicit in the walnut’s shape matching that of the cerebral cortex. We know they are rich in omega three fatty acids, one of those essential to brain health

In addition, Vedic medicine extols the virtues of ghee and dairy for the brain. Despite the fact that ghee is nearly 70 percent saturated fat, a frightening enough statistic to send most cardiologists shuddering and running the other way, it is revered in Ayurveda as an oil that in small amounts is extremely beneficial to health. Indeed, ghee is a rich source of omega three fatty acids, contains mono-unsaturated fats, as well as is highly resistant to oxidation. While most of its fat is saturated, unlike other dairy and meat fats, it is composed of short chain fatty acids that are readily used for energy and tend to be quickly metabolized. There is an Ayurvedic saying that “Ghee should be sipped, not drunk.” A small amount, of 1-2 tsp. per day, is considered a rasayana, or rejuvenative, for the brain.

Rather than adding to foods after cooking, or slathering on bread, cook your ghee with a little turmeric (anti-oxidant and detoxifying,) and a pinch of black pepper. This will help the ghee cross your blood-brain barrier to fortify your brain, not your waistline.

Like for any food, fats should be of the purest quality, consumed in moderation, and in proper balance with respect to the rest of the diet, and the needs of the individual. “Fat-free” diets may lower essential fatty acids and cholesterol too far, leading to mood disorders. Too much fat, on the other hand, especially in children, may lead to inferior intelligence, according to studies in animals subjected to a high fat diet in early life (28.)

RX: Include walnuts, green leafy vegetables, ghee 1-2 tsp. per day (unless your cholesterol is very high), sesame seeds, almonds.

Protein. While adequate protein isn’t an issue for most Americans, vegetarians do need to pay attention to getting enough protein, especially if they do a lot of physical exercise. Another group that needs to attend to protein intake is women who have gone on low-fat diets and skip high protein foods that contain more fat—meat and dairy—in an attempt to lose weight. Also, those who are very lean may need to consume more calories so that the body can use the dietary protein for building up the body, rather than as an energy source.

The brain also needs protein, especially certain amino acids, such as tyrosine, tryptophan and cysteine. The two former amino acids are essential for the manufacture of key neurotransmitters (brain messenger molecules), such as dopamine, and serotonin, while cysteine is a critical amino acid necessary for detoxing the brain (and body) of certain chemicals and heavy metals.

Vitamins and minerals are also needed by the brain, specifically B12, which can get low in vegetarians who do not eat dairy products on a daily basis, and who do not take vitamin supplements. Deficiency in vitamin B12 prevents the proper synthesis of myelin, the insulating sheaths that coat the nerves. This can result in memory loss, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs, depression, poor mental performance, and a host of other psycho-neurological symptoms. Taking a B12 supplement can often reverse the symptoms. However, it is best to check with your doctor if you suspect that you may be low in B12.

Also, many vegetarians rely heavily on tofu as their main source of protein. While soy and tofu have many benefits, there is some question about the long-term effects of mid-life tofu consumption, based on a study conducted at the University of Hawaii on Japanese-Hawaiians. This study (29) found that those who consumed tofu at least twice a week had a substantially higher risk of dementia and brain atrophy later in life than those who ate tofu less than twice a week. Researchers suggest that the high levels of certain enzyme inhibitors in tofu may be responsible. Remember naprilysin, the enzyme that breaks down the dementia-related amyloid clumps in the brain? It would not be good to eat foods that inhibit these garbage-collecting enzymes. While the results have yet to be confirmed in subsequent studies, it may be wise to broaden your selection of protein-rich vegetarian foods and consume tofu no more than once a week.

Also, always be sure to sautee your tofu in spices, including a little black pepper and turmeric, to help increase its digestibility in your stomach and its metabolism in your brain. Other soy products, including tempeh, which are fermented, do not such high levels of enzyme inhibitors, and may provide a suitable alternative. However, a wide variety of legumes, dairy, nuts and seeds is always wise, since each food comes with its own inherent complement of vitamins, minerals and other micro-nutrients, helping to ensure that you are getting all the nutrition that you need.

and other chemicals are disruptive to the body’s hormone balance and may promote weight gain independent of caloric intake. These toxins are widely used in cosmetics, perfumes, plastic bottles and nail polish and have been found to build up in the body in higher levels than previously expected. 

Weight gain is only one of many unwanted side-effects of toxins, including infertility, menstrual problems, breast and prostate cancers and even cardiovascular disease. On top of that, free radicals and inflammation caused by toxins may contributee to early again and chronic skin problems.

For a complete decription of The Ayurvedic approach to brain health see the chapter in Dr. Lonsdorf’s book: The Ageless Woman; Health and Beauty after Forty with Maharishi Ayurveda

The main textbook of Ayurveda, the Charaka Samhita, describes how in ancient times the Vedic Rishis (enlightened sages or “seers”) became concerned that mankind was suffering from many illnesses. A meeting of the great sages was called to find a way to aid mankind and the knowledge of Ayurveda came out of this gathering. This is where the conventional part of the story ends. The technique the Rishis used to discover Ayurveda has no corollary in the modern scientific age and was a completely “Vedic” solution to the problem.

The first part of the Rishis technique was to all sit together, go into meditation and transcend to the experience of pure consciousness. The Rishis had all previously experienced that pure consciousness was not only source of their mind, but was also the cosmic intelligence at the source of all the laws of nature. They knew that in their own pure consciousness they could tap into a field that contained all of natural law in a seed form. For the Rishis, pure consciousness was actually the “home of all the laws of nature” and they called it Veda.

By comparing this Vedic approach to that of modern science we can see how radically different a Rishi addresses a problem from that of a modern scientist. The fundamental principle in science is that human subjectivity is so variable that it cannot be a valid tool to determine truth and reality. Science is an objective approach to the objective world.

The Rishis take just the opposite approach. They turn within and fathom all the levels of their inner life to discover knowledge. The Rishis knew that everything that existed in nature had a common source. If they found the ultimate source of their “Self” they would find the origin of all things in nature.  This is why the Rishis did NOT go out and collect herbs and experiment on their effects to discover Ayurveda but rather went into deep internal meditation.

Group Meditation Creates “Indra” – Holistic Consciousness

The Charaka Samhita’s description of the second half of the Rishis discovering of Ayurveda is even more fascinating than what we have just discussed. Before the Rishis started they chose one of their group to not transcend completely during the group meditation but rather maintain a faint intention to receive the knowledge of health for mankind. The Charaka describes how to this Rishi “Indra” came and revealed the entire knowledge of Ayurveda.

Indra in Vedic terms is the quality of holistic consciousness-pure consciousness. The group meditation of the Rishis created a huge enlivenment of pure consciousness. However, one Rishi in the group maintained the faint intention to discover Ayurveda  because Pure Consciousness has the unique feature of being able to manifest the fulfillment of any thought created within it. Creating a faint intention in Pure Consciousness is the ancient Vedic technique to gain knowledge and the Rishis used it to discover the knowledge of Ayurveda.

Vedic Knowledge in Modern Times

The good news is the Vedic tradition is still alive and well today thanks largely to the work of a modern day Rishi, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi – founder of the TM program. The TM technique is the most easy and direct path to the pure consciousness experience. The practice of the advanced TM-Sidhi program uses the ancient Vedic techniques to create intention without disturbing the pure consciousness experience so that the intention may be fulfilled spontaneously. 

Maharishi encourages practice of the TM and TM-Sidhi programs in groups to increase the power of the experience and growth of consiousness of the practitioners. He has established several groups throughout the world where many 100’s of people practice the TM and TM-Sidhi program in the same place at the same time.

For more information please see www.tm.org

The Raj Maharishi Ayurveda Health Spa

A prime example of Maharishi’s revival of the Vedic tradition can be found at The Raj Maharishi Ayurveda Health Spa in Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa. www.theraj.com.

The Raj is built according to the principle of Vedic architecture and its surrounding community contains two large domes for daily group meditations that can each seat 1000 meditators. One of the main amenities at The Raj is the tremendous atmosphere of wholeness and peace that permeates the grounds as a result of these large group meditations.

Raj guests also receive treatments from Maharishi Vedic Medicine which includes the whole range of Vedic healing modalities and not just Ayurveda. The experience for a guest starts with an Ayurvedic consultation from a licensed M.D. and includes traditional Ayurvedic pulse assessment. Guests then spend 2 1/2 to 3 hours a day receiving the authentic version of the ancient Ayurvedic internal cleansing treatments called Maharishi Rejuvenation Therapy.

Guests may also receive other Vedic healing experiences including instruction in the essence of Vedic meditation – the Transcendental Meditation technique and Maharishi Vedic Sound Therapy where specific Vedic sounds are used to balance different areas of the body. The result is a rejuvenation of mind and body that helps guests realize their inner Self and achieve greater success in outer life.

For a complete introduction to Maharishi Ayurveda for women’s health review Dr. Lonsdorf’s book; The Ageless Woman, Health and Beauty after Forty with Maharishi Ayurveda.

Weight gain is only one of many unwanted side-effects of toxins, including infertility, menstrual problems, breast and prostate cancers and even cardiovascular disease. On top of that, free radicals and inflammation caused by toxins may contributee to early again and chronic skin problems.

For an introduction to performing a safe, individualized cleanse and detox with Ayurvedic principles please see Dr Lonsdorf’s site at ayurveda cleanse and detox.