Maintaining a healthy nervous system requires proper nutrition, including carbohydrates, proteins, calcium, and vitamins B1, B6, and B12. Good fats and water are also essential. A nutritious lifestyle and avoiding harmful substances are important, and exercises that engage the nervous system can be beneficial.
The best way to maintain a healthy nervous system is to nutritionally support the body as a whole; any deficiencies will almost always come back to affect the nervous system as well. Carbohydrates, proteins, calcium and other nutrients in particular play key roles in the function of the nervous system and especially the brain. Certain vitamins, including vitamins B1, B6 and B12, are particularly influential in a healthy nervous system. Additionally, good fats and water are essential for the nervous system to function properly, especially given that the brain is mostly made up of these two. While overall healthy lifestyle choices are a key aspect of maintaining any bodily function, individuals can also engage in some activities specifically designed to exercise the nervous system.
Carbohydrates are essential for providing the brain with the energy it needs to maintain a healthy nervous system, as the brain burns glucose 10 times faster than any other body tissue. Complex carbohydrates are ideal for providing the brain with enough continuous energy to reach its full potential and are often available in oatmeal, brown rice and bran. Protein provides essential building blocks for all areas of the body, making it vital for supporting nerves and the brain. These can be found in meat, fish, nuts and dairy products.
Calcium helps the body by maintaining nerve impulse conduction and muscle contraction. Whole milk is a popular source of calcium, but this nutrient is also found in some fruits and green leafy vegetables. Choline is another nutrient needed for a healthy nervous system, as it specifically helps build the neurotransmitters that pass electrical impulses through the brain. This can be found in peanuts, egg yolks and liver.
Vitamin B1, or thiamin, helps advance the production of amino acids, which are the necessary building blocks for a healthy nervous system. Thiamine is mostly found in brown rice, pork, and wholemeal bread. Vitamin B6 is also known as pyridoxine and provides the materials needed for the creation of neurotransmitters. Potatoes, fish and legumes are particularly rich in vitamin B6. Vitamin B12 is essential for myelin, the coating material that protects nerves, and is found in eggs, milk and red meat.
Nearly 70% of the human brain is made up of water and 50 to 60% of the remaining dry weight is fat, making these two elements absolutely necessary for the brain to function properly. Keeping yourself fully hydrated is key to facilitating communication within the brain as well as between the brain and the body. Healthy fats are found in nuts, oils and cold-water fish, such as salmon, mackerel and tuna. In particular, Omega-3 fatty acids are important, which make up 35% of the fat in the brain.
A nutritious lifestyle in general is the surest way to maintain a healthy nervous system, including avoiding hydrogenated oils, excessive alcohol consumption, and exposure to chemicals such as pesticides. Proper stress and mood management can also go a long way in maintaining overall health. Additionally, individuals may perform certain exercises that specifically employ the nervous system; for example, writing on paper for 15 minutes a day as neatly as possible greatly engages all major aspects of the body’s nervous system.
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