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Your Brain Chemistry and Your Diet

By HERWriter
 
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Elizabeth Somer, M.A., is a registered dietitian and author, as well as an award-winning writer and editor. She follows the current nutrition research closely. Then she passes out that information in the form of books, magazine articles, lectures, seminars and news for the media.

Our bodies become more healthy or less healthy depending on the foods we eat or don't eat. Here, Elizabeth Somer details how a woman's brain is altered by her diet.

Registered Dietitian Elizabeth Somer:

Oh, absolutely, what we eat affects brain chemistry. There is what is called the blood-brain barrier that we used to think shielded the brain from dietary fluctuations or chemical fluctuations in the body. Now we know of course that isn’t true, that that blood-brain barrier is a permeable barrier and that things flow in and out of it readily and for just cause.

A lot of the nutrients and building blocks that your brain needs come from the diet, so thank heavens they can get in to the brain. For instance, the omega-3 fats, in particular the omega-3 fat DHA is a critical component of cell membranes in the brain, giving those membranes some flexibility and fluidity that allows nutrients to flow in and out and for the cell to get rid of waste products. So, what you eat, you literally, literally are what you eat.

About Elizabeth Somer:
Elizabeth Somer, M.A., is a registered dietitian who has carved a unique professional niche as one of the few, if not only, dietitians who is well-versed in nutrition research. For 25 years, she has kept abreast of the current research, packaging that information into easy-to-read books, magazine articles, lectures, continuing education seminars, and practical news for the media.

Visit Elizabeth Somer at http://www.elizabethsomer.com/index.html

Video:
https://www.empowher.com/healthy-eating/content/does-womans-diet-affect-her-brain-chemistry-elizabeth-somer-rd-video

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Great article Mz. Somer. You know, the concept of "we are what we eat"... especially as it correlates with dietary concerns and our brain chemistry... rings of Eastern philosophy. It's only in the West where we live in constant dichotomy. Mind/Body or Diet/Thought or Men/Earth - fill in the blanks.

*Shameless plug* On my diet solution blog this is one of the topics I'm going to be digging into in depth, especially the correlations between scientific research and Eastern thought. Thanks for bringing some attention to what we all need to keep in "mind" ;C) .

June 15, 2010 - 12:28pm

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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