Albertans with eating disorders ‘not sick enough’ for hospital admission - Global News

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Albertans with eating disorders ‘not sick enough’ for hospital admission  Global News
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What not to eat: processed food and the cost to health - The Times

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What not to eat: processed food and the cost to health  The Times
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What To Eat Before And After A Workout - Delish

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TikTok Is Inspiring People To Eat Oranges In The Shower - BuzzFeed

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TikTok Is Inspiring People To Eat Oranges In The Shower  BuzzFeed
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CMHA Waterloo Wellington campaign shows the many shapes of eating disorders - Global News

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CMHA Waterloo Wellington campaign shows the many shapes of eating disorders  Global News
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Here's A List Of Best And Worst Foods For Your Brain - NDTV

Certain foods can help boost the health of our brain

One of the most significant organs in your body is the brain. It assists in all of your body's processes including your heart pounding and breathing. This is why maintaining a balanced diet will help your brain function at its best. 

Some meals are bad for your brain since they affect your memory and mood while raising your risk of dementia. While foods that are excellent for your brain can support the health of this vital organ and enhance your capacity for certain mental functions, like memory and focus. Continue reading as we share a list of the best and worst foods for brain health. 

Best foods for the brain:

1. Avocados

Avocados help prevent clots from forming in the brain (preventing stroke), as well as aid enhance memory and concentration-related brain processes because they contain both vitamin K and folate. These green powerhouses are stuffed with monounsaturated fats, or the "good" kind, which have been shown to slow the rate of cognitive decline and maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Avocados contain healthy fats and several other essential nutrients
Photo Credit: iStock

2. Cruciferous vegetables

Due to its high levels of vitamin K and choline, which can support memory function, broccoli is one of the finest foods for brain health, along with closely related vegetables like cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts. It also has several phytonutrients that shield brain tissue from oxidative damage.

3. Olive oil

Due to its potent polyphenol antioxidants and beneficial monounsaturated fats, real extra virgin olive oil is one of the best meals for the brain. It is a key component of the MIND diet, which is related to the Mediterranean diet, and both eating regimens have been linked in studies to improved cognition in older persons.

4. Dark chocolate

Flavonols, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, are abundant in chocolate. According to studies, cocoa can boost cerebral blood flow and oxygenation while also reducing blood pressure and oxidative stress in the brain and heart. The general guideline is that chocolate has more benefits the darker it is.

5. Coconut oil

With so numerous applications, coconut oil can nearly be used for everything. It can support the suppression of cells that cause inflammation in your brain. In addition, it fights harmful bacteria that reside in your stomach and may help with memory loss as you age.

Worst foods for the brain:

1. High-sugar foods

You should stay away from highly sweetened beverages. Your blood sugar will rise if you drink those things, which increases your risk of heart disease and type-2 diabetes. Both illnesses have a history of having negative effects on the brain. Overindulging in sugar may also increase insulin resistance in the brain, which could have a negative impact on learning, memory, and neuron development.

High-sugar foods can have a negative impact on your brain
Photo Credit: iStock

2. Trans fat

Animals naturally contain this kind of unsaturated fat, which is also processed and found in foods like frosting, margarine, and hydrogenated vegetable oils. The brain's productivity and neuronal activity are slowed by inflammation, which has been connected to trans fat. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are excellent for brain health and cell growth, should be consumed in diets.

3. Alcohol

While occasionally enjoying a beer or glass of wine is acceptable, excessive alcohol intake is detrimental to your physical and mental well-being. Chronic alcohol usage alters your brain's metabolism and interferes with neurotransmitter communication. Long-term exposure can cause vision impairment, disorientation, and memory loss.

4. Refined carbs

Foods made using white flour can contain processed grains. Because of their high glycemic indices, they are easily absorbed by your body. They typically result in a rise in blood sugar and insulin levels as well, which has an impact on adult memory development. Your hippocampus, the region of your brain responsible for transforming short-term memories into their long-term counterparts, is directly impacted by the inflammation caused by those spikes.

5. Artificial sweeteners

Aspartame is typically present in diet sodas and other products that lack added sugar. It has phenylalanine, an amino acid that can interfere with your neurotransmitters by crossing the blood-brain barrier. Because of this, your brain is more vulnerable to the physiological stress that free radicals can generate.

Make sure to be mindful of what foods you eat as they greatly influence the health of your brain.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Advocates aim to break down eating disorder stereotypes | CTV News - CTV News Calgary

As part of Eating Disorder Awareness Week, which runs Feb. 1-7, advocates want to break down stereotypes most often portrayed in the media that do not include the wide variety of people who can face disordered eating.

They say people of colour and other minorities are also at risk, and barriers to accessing help can be especially harmful.

"The skinny, white affluent girl stereotype doesn't really capture Black and Brown folks," said Mo Bamuwagun, a registered social worker who hosted a workshop in Calgary Wednesday night on the topic.

"We bring light to a disorder that is often unrecognized, underdiagnosed and undertreated in the Black community."

Bamuwagun says an estimated 20 per cent of people who do receive a diagnosis yet aren't provided treatment don't survive.

"If we have so many Black and Brown folks who slip through the cracks, who health care practitioners do not diagnose them, if they themselves don't have that recognition that maybe it's about time to reach out for help, then those numbers will keep climbing," she said.

POTENTIAL FOR HARM

According to the National Eating Disorder Information Centre, eating disorders are the deadliest of all mental health and addictions issues behind drug toxicity deaths.

An estimated one million Canadians and 198,000 Albertans suffer from an eating disorder on a yearly basis.

To improve outcomes, advocates say disordered eating needs to be recognized across racial groups, and across sexual and gender identities.

"Certain groups are not accessing services. And those groups are males, newcomers, racialized communities, Indigenous and the queer community," said Marlies van Dijk, executive director of the Silver Linings Foundation, a Calgary-based support service for eating disorders.

NOT ONE SIZE

The body types affected by eating disorders are also diverse.

As well, van Dijk says binge-eating is more common than anorexia nervosa and it's "not about food" or controlled by lifestyle choices and willpower.

"It's a combination of physical and psychological. Depression and anxiety are sort of the fundamental lead-ups to an eating disorder. It's messy. There's no quick fix," she said.

She later added, "It's difficult to talk about, because we actually value as a society when people are a certain size."

The Alberta minister for mental health and addictions released a statement Wednesday, which says in part:

"Eating disorders are one of the most serious, but least talked about mental health challenges. They affect people of all genders, ages and backgrounds, and if left untreated or undiagnosed, they can cause serious mental and physical harm. It's estimated about a million Canadians have an eating disorder – many of them undiagnosed," said Nicholas Milliken.

“Recovery is possible for all Albertans struggling with mental health challenges, including eating disorders. Thousands of Albertans are living examples of that. While the pursuit of recovery from eating disorders or other mental health challenges may be difficult, there are supports available."

The Eating Disorder Support Network of Alberta has information on support and treatment options at edsna.ca, and the Silver Linings Foundation offers support groups online.

Another resource is 211 Alberta, a single point of contact for information and service referrals, available 24/7 by phone, text and chat.

In addition, the hotline for the National Eating Disorder Information Centre is reachable at 1-866-633-4220. 

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