Your brain contains several types of specialized cells that carry out neurological functioning including cognitive thought, mood regulation and controlling bodily functions and locomotion. Your diet provides sugar to keep your brain cells running, proteins to maintain brain tissue, and vitamins and minerals that support proper brain functioning. Consuming adequate amounts of certain vitamins and minerals can aid in keeping your brain working properly.
Vitamin B12
One vitamin you can consume to support the health of your brain is vitamin B12, or cobalamin. Vitamin B12 supports proper brain functioning by promoting the maintenance of myelin, a nerve insulator. Myelin surrounds a nerve cell's axons -- the branches that nerve cells use to communicate with their neighbors -- and helps speed the conduction of electrical impulses through the cell. Essentially, the presence of myelin allows for proper nerve conduction, and supports brain functioning. Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to damage to the myelin sheath surrounding brain cells, leading to neurological damage over time, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Consuming adequate levels of vitamin B12, by eating shellfish, salmon and meat, can help maintain proper myelin within your brain.
Vitamin B6
Another vitamin that helps maintain brain functioning is vitamin B6, or pyridoxine. This vitamin nourishes your brain by promoting the synthesis of neurotransmitters -- the chemicals your brain cells use to communicate with each other. The Linus Pauling Institute indicates that vitamin B6 aids in the production of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and GABA -- four neurotransmitters that perform a range of functions within the brain. In individuals suffering from vitamin B6 deficiency, the brain cannot effectively make the neurotransmitters it needs to function properly, and this deficiency can lead to neurological symptoms such as depression. Consuming foods rich in vitamin B6, including bananas, spinach and poultry meats, can help support proper neurotransmitter production and brain functioning.
Magnesium
One mineral that can help support brain function is magnesium. The Franklin Institute explains that magnesium plays a number of roles within your brain: it supports the formation of myelin, aids in the disposal of toxic waste products from brain cells, helps your brain generate energy to fuel your nerve cells, and activates a number of enzymes required for cognitive functioning. Magnesium also helps to balance the levels of sodium and potassium in your brain cells, helping to regulate the electrochemical signals your brain cells use to communicate with each other. Eating foods rich in magnesium, such as green leafy vegetables, tofu and nuts, can help you consume your required intake of magnesium each day, to support and nourish your brain.
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