Scientists Describe Diet That Boosts Brain Power
December 4, 2009 by Personal Liberty News Desk
According to new research conducted by Spanish scientists, a diet rich in polyphenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids (called LMN diet) may boost neurological function, brain health and mental performance.
The team from Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona found that the compounds in question help boost the production of the brain’s stem cells and strengthen their differentiation into different types of neurons.
Specifically, when the researchers fed mice a LMN diet they noted greater cell proliferation in the two areas of the brain where neurogenesis is produced—the olfactory bulb and the hippocampus.
Since both areas become severely damaged in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, the experiments provide evidence that a diet rich in these antioxidants could delay the onset or slow down the progress of this neurodegenerative disease.
The study will be published in the December issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Polyphenols can be found in tea, grapes, wine, olive oil, cocoa, nuts and other fruits and vegetables, while polyunsaturated fatty acids are derived from vegetables such as corn, soybeans, sunflowers and pumpkins as well as blue fish.
They can also be obtained via nutritional supplements 
The research conducted by the scientific team from Unniversitat Autonoma de Bardelona in Spain that “a diet rich in polyphenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids (called LMN diet) may boost neurological function, brain health and mental performance”, is encouraging. However, I have two problems with these findings. Foremost, have they been independently replicated? Unless they have been these are are merely hypothesis. Secondly, animal studies do not always equate to similar results in human studies.
I am in no way denigrating what these researchers have discovered. Kudos to them. Their work sounds brilliant! But unless a hypothesis is separately and independentently verifed, it is not legitimate science and should not be promoted as such. Or, at a minimum, contain the qualifications noted herein.
I look forward to independent vertifcation.
There’s that magic word.. MY. They never come out and say YES it will do this or that. Why bother to write about the study when they are not sure.
DB
The world is always filled with such positive people…..
I agree with Bill Paul. If this has been separately and independently reproduced, then that would be great news. I also agree that a trial in humans would be necessary. However, it seems like excellent research, and I can’t wait to see it in the Journal this December!
It is about time that everyone is beginning to focus on the effects of nutrients on brain health. I found out years ago that the effects of chemical stress (insecticides) deplete “b” vitamins when the body can not get them in their diets. This stress forces the body to find these nutrients whereever they are stored in the body to fight the stress. This causes the body to attack the spinal cord linings and eventually reaches the base of the brain and cause migraine headaches and brain damage such as Parkinsons, Alsheimers, Dimencia and I believe Mad Cow Disese. Everyone needs to add a B-100 Balanced vitamin suppliment to their daily vitamin regiment. Thanks.