Aggressive Behaviour Seems To Be Triggered By Early Age Diet

The fact that diet directly affects behaviour is no news, on the contrary, this reality has been perceived a very long time ago, as the old saying "a man is what he eats" proves.

Studies have been performed to ascertain the degree in which this happens. A study of the scientists and researchers from the University of Southern California shows that a lack vitamin B, zinc, iron from the diet during the first years of life seems to influence behaviour later on.

Malnutrition in early ages, shows the study, predisposes to neurocognitive deficits. These deficits will lead to behavioural problems, such as antisocial and aggressive behaviour, during childhood and adolescence.

It is common knowledge that the lack or the insufficient intake of certain substances influences body development and all the resulting aspects. Nutritive substances have certain specific nurture targets, namely they feed particularly some body parts. Thus, the nutrients for the brain play a crucial role in the subsequent development of the neural activity, affecting brain health and mental performance. The mental state is also influenced by nutrients, as they are essential ingredients in the biochemical processes that produce brain neurotransmitters. Serotonin and dopamine which are known to affect mood are such neurotransmitters.

It seems that behaviour and mental performance can be improved by a controlled diet. Especially at early ages, reducing malnutrition will help reduce later antisocial and aggressive behavior, as the study concludes. Results of such studies and researches are important for applying correct adjustments to diet beginning with early childhood not only to improve health state - or to help correct various illnesses generated by brain malfunctions - but also to enhance positive social behaviour of persons with a tendency towards violence and behavioural disordes.

To conclude, substances that are essential for the brain optimum functioning and that should be present in sufficient quantities in a balanced diet are:

• the B vitamin complex - essential for the brain cells health and the formation of neurotransmitters - B1: bread, rice, pasta, and fortified cereals, pasta, pork; B5: meat, poultry, fish, whole-grain cereals, legumes, milk, vegetables, fruit; B6: chicken, fish, pork, liver, and kidney, whole grain cereals, nuts, legumes; B12: eggs, meat, fish, poultry, milk and dairy products;
• essential fatty acids - Omega 3 - brain's composition is 60% essential fatty acids - fish, especially cold water fish, seafood, olive oil or canola oil;
• antioxidans (vitamin E, vitamin C, glutathione, coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid) - protect brain from free radicals that attack DNA, creating permanent cellular damage generating accelerated aging, memory loss and favoring chronic disease - fruit and vegetables, black tea, green tea, chocolate, red wine;
• folic acid - essential for metabolism of long-chain fatty acids in the brain - bananas, orange juice, fortified cereals, lemons, strawberry, cantaloupe, leafy vegetables, dried beans and peas;
• magnesium, potassium, calcium - necessary for good nerve functioning - magnesium sources: whole grains, legumes, nuts, and green vegetables; potassium sources: apricots, avocados, bananas, cantaloupe, grapefruit, honeydew, kiwi, oranges, prunes, strawberries, potatoes, meat, and fish, calcium sources: milk and diary;
• iron - needed to carry oxygen to the brain cells and used to make brain neurotransmitters - lean beef, whole grain breakfast cereals, whole grain breads, raisins, dried apricots, legumes, bean dips, and bran muffins;
• zinc - antioxidative role, important for memory - certain seafood - oysters, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, whole grains, fortified breakfast cereals, and dairy products.

Laura Ciocan writes for http://www.dietsindex.com where you can find more information about the most popular diets and diet aids.

Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website. If you use this article, please include the resource box and send a brief message to let me know where it appeared; mailto:lauracio@gmail.com

16 Quick Tips for Eating at Restaurants or Work

Most of us eat at restaurants for a variety of... Read More

Rediscovering Protein - Corrective Action in the American Diet

Protein must be a part of a healthy diet for... Read More

5 Tips To Lower Your Cholesterol

Cholesterol has been around for thousands of years. It's a... Read More

Bumble Bee Fish Oil - Do You Need It?

The makers of Bumble Bee Tuna generated some buzz today... Read More

Do You Know What You Are Eating?

With all the news about Splenda of late and the... Read More

Nutrition Know-how: Seven Simple Ways to Eat Healthier (with Strawberry Orange Sorbet Recipe)

The key to better health is learning the difference between... Read More

Essential Tips For Proper Food Combining:

As any student of chemistry will assure you, acids and... Read More

Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil -- Why Is It Different?

A flood of scientific evidence about fish oil points to... Read More

Discover Which Fruit and Vegetables Help Relieve Arthritic Pain

If you or someone you know suffers from rheumatoid arthritis,... Read More

What Would You Do For a Klondike Bar?

Unfortunately, the words "diet" and "cheating" go hand in hand.... Read More

The Ins and Outs of Proper Nutrition

Secretly we all want just a few things in life,... Read More

Aspartame -More Dangerous Than High Fructose Corn Syrup

It's really hard to believe that something could be worse... Read More

Take Back Your Life 7

In parts 1-6 of this series of articles titled "Take... Read More

Fat Burning Compatible Foods

Fat burning compatible foods seem to be a popular topic... Read More

The Sneak Attack of Trans- Fats

If you are like most people, you are probably confused... Read More

Good Fat Diet or How to Choose the Best Foods for Your Family?

Some fats are good for you. Your body can't function... Read More

How Food Affects Mood

Everyone can benefit from understanding how food affects our... Read More

Can Chronic Pain Come From Food Additives?

It is always amazing to me when I find a... Read More

Post Nasal Drip

Post nasal drip is a sensation of mucous build up... Read More

True Health - Following Your Inner Knowing

Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power. Over... Read More

Calcium: the Miracle Mineral

We've heard it not only once or twice or even... Read More

Why are Free Form Essential Amino Acids Necessary and What to Look For!

1. Look for high quality, crystalline, free-form, amino acids (AAs)... Read More

What Is an Essential Fat?

You may have heard that essential fats are an important... Read More

Nutrition - Its Whats Eating You That Counts

"It's not what you eat, it's what's eating you that... Read More

Chocolate Is Good For You!

Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for... Read More