does the brain need food?

Answer 1

The brain is an extremely metabolically active organ, making it a very hungry one, and a picky eater at that. It's becoming pretty clear in research labs around the country that the right food, or the natural neurochemicals that they contain, can enhance mental capabilities—help you concentrate, tune sensorimotor skills, keep you motivated, magnify memory, speed reaction times, defuse stress, perhaps even prevent brain aging.

The health of your brain depends not only on how much (or little) fat you eat but on what kind it is. Intellectual performance requires the specific type of fat found most commonly in fish, known as omega-3 fatty acids. Even diets that adhere to commonly recommended levels of fats, but the wrong kind, can undermine intelligence. What makes this finding awkward is that certain oils widely touted as healthy for the heart are especially troublesome for the mind.

Omega-3s are known to be particularly crucial constituents of the outer membrane of brain cells. It is through the fat-rich cell membrane that all nerve signals must pass. In addition, as learning and memory forge new connections between nerve cells, new membranes must be formed to sheathe them. All brain cell membranes continuously need to refresh themselves with a new supply of fatty acids. A growing amount of research suggests that the omega-3s are best suited for optimal brain function.

VR

Answer 2

Actually the brain needs special food because of the BBB (Brain Blood Barrier) that stops many large molecules that might fuel a muscle. The BBB protects the brain and provides a fairly uniform environment. Some people find a way to circumvent the barrier and have a party there anyway, risking its delicate machinery. The brain is guaranteed for a lifetime, but that is of course widely adjustable as to longevity and quality of operation. Food for thought???

Answer 3

Does it ever. It uses sugar primarily and some B vitamins (that come from a variety of foods such as fish)

One of the B vitamins, Choline, gets converted into acetyl choline and from there, there is a biochemical cascade that produces neurotransmitters.

You can see this in your own body. If you don't eat for a while and avoid artificial stimulants like coffee that force more sugar out of your blood so the brain can use it, you are going to feel physically and Mentally sluggish. At rest the brain burns more calories than any other organ in the body.

Answer 4

Although it seems a bit odd at first, the brain is after all a muscle-like organ which performs millions of tasks. So it DOES need food; in fact as much as 1/5 of your food intake is used just to power the brain! Its also the "hottest" area of your body as it does so much

Answer 5

The brain doesn't nedd food bt it needs energy from the food that we eat. It also consumes 20% of the total energy produced in our body!!
Hope you will rate as the best answer.

Answer 6

yes, however the brain is unique in that it can only utilize pure glucose for food, while other body parts use multiple food sources, this means that if glucose supply is low it is shunted to the brain

hope this helps

Answer 7

I believe it does, fish is good brain food.

Answer 8

Yes, in fact the brain requires a lot of calories.

I believe the brain can only use carbs (not fat) for energy.

Answer 9

Every cell in the body needs food.

Answer 10

Yes