Why spinach is good for your brain

Did you know that heart disease is a strong risk factor for memory loss? This falls under the category of "everything is connected." In the world of pathology, one of the markers for heart disease is high levels of homocysteine. It's an amino acid, one of those essential components of a healthy body. High levels of homocysteine, then, are also a marker for Alzheimer's disease. Here's the helper: folic acid. Low folic acid levels in your blood are associated with high levels of homocysteine. Trouble rearing its head!

You want to keep your folic acid levels up, and spinach is one of the best sources. Spinach also contains many other nutrients, including magnesium, and vitamin K which is necessary for blood clotting. Spinach helps control the amount of water your body retains. It can even have a diuretic effect, helping to eliminate bloating.

Neurologists have recommended eating spinach three times a week or more, as a brain tonic. Some experts recommend finding organic spinach, since spinach is on the top ten list of pesticide-laden vegetables. I think that's a good idea too, and have found that in my local markets, organic spinach is no more costly than non-organic.

Here's a great little salad I have found delightful enough to eat often.

Two cups of organic spinach, washed.

Two tablespoons or organic blueberries, fresh or frozen-and-thawed

Two fresh organic strawberries, sliced

Two tablespoons of pumpkin seeds, raw or tamari-roasted

Extra additions as you like:

Thin slices of red onion

A tablespoon of goat cheese or feta cheese

One hardboiled egg, sliced

Dress your salad with a couple of tablespoons of fresh-squeezed lemon, a tablespoon of olive oil, and black pepper. YUM!!

The blueberries and strawberries are also excellent antioxidants and contribute to brain health. I have found that having this salad a few times a week makes a distinct difference in my overall energy, as well as a definite improvement in my cognition.

For a SUPER HEALTHY BOOST to any salad, here is another tip: Broccoli sprouts! You don't have to like broccoli, this is a completely different experience. Broccoli sprouts, easily made in three days by sprouting broccoli seeds, contain a high concentration of sulforaphane. This substance actually detoxifies your body from the cellular level. The evidence is very strong that sulforaphane is has powerful anti-cancer properties. And the little sprouts are very, very tasty.

I think I'll go make a salad right now.