Micronutrients for a HEALTHY BRAIN and mental functions

Who can benefit from this information?

• Young people and students whose brain cells need more energy to fuel optimum brain function, mental performance, memory and coping with stress and psychological challenges.

• Professionals: People whose job performance depends on optimum brain function and memory.

• Mature individuals and seniors who seek natural ways to support their cognitive abilities, memory, and response to stressful situations.

• Everyone seeking natural and safe ways to maintain healthy function of cells building our brain and nervous system which are essential in successful stress management, problem solving and supporting mental abilities.

1. Healthy brain and nervous system functioning determines our general health

Our brain is a complex organ. It controls all our body’s functions, such as motor skills, vision, breathing, temperature regulation, also our mental alertness, thoughts, memory, emotions, and so much more. Its optimal function is essential for our general health and longevity.

Our interest in mental health tends to increase as we get older and begin to worry about memory problems and cognitive decline. However, healthy brain and nervous system functioning is essential at every age as the foundation for a thriving life, influencing our education, relationships, career, and personal sense of fulfilment and happiness. Maintaining brain health also involves reducing risk factors and providing essential nutrition to our brain cells, to help to protect, maintain, and improve the brain’s complex and multiple functions.

Cells that build our brain and their functions

The health of any organ in our body depends on the optimum functioning of its basic building blocks – the cells. The human brain, which weighs approximately 1.4 kg (3 lb), is made up of billions of cells called neurons. Neurons communicate with each other by transferring electrical and chemical messages through their junctions (called synapses). This communication is critical to our learning, memory, and all other cognitive abilities.

Neuron branches, called dendrites, are surrounded by Schwann cells, which are the major glial cell type in the peripheral nervous system. These cells produce myelin sheaths, composed of proteins and fatty substances, which wrap around neurons to insulate and protect them. Schwann cells are essential in the development, function, and regeneration of peripheral nerves.

In addition to neurons and Schwann cells, there are other cells critical for healthy functioning of the brain and nervous system. These include microglial cells which are the immune cells of the central nervous system and play important roles in brain infections and inflammation.

The survival and optimum functioning of all cells composing our brain and nervous system depend on a network of blood vessels that supply them with oxygen and nutrients.