Brain

How does the brain work?

Cycling, talking, laughing, expressing your opinion, writing something down, doing the laundry. These are activities we hardly ever think about, but our entire brains work together to make these movements and activities possible. Our brain is indeed an essential part of our body! For a long time, it was believed that each area in our brain was responsible for something different, but we now know that various areas in our brains also collaborate and rapidly communicate with each other through long connections. In each little area, there are groups of cells that constantly exchange information with each other. We have a total of around 86 billion brain cells that send electrical and chemical signals to each other, divided between two brain hemispheres. The collaboration between the brain and the body is a high-level team effort. The brain constantly stimulates and facilitates cognitive and executive functions, and these must be so finely coordinated that the interaction between all body parts proceeds smoothly.

Protection of the brain

Because the brain plays such a crucial role, it is well protected by the body in various ways. Firstly, the hard skull provides a protective layer on the outside. Inside the skull, the brain is surrounded by three meninges, and this entire structure is enveloped by a thin layer of cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid acts as a shock absorber or cushion to protect the brain from external shocks and impacts. The brain is also well protected from the inside, against harmful substances and organisms that may be present in the blood. The blood-brain barrier plays a crucial role in this protection. It is literally a border between the blood and the brain, selectively allowing only necessary substances to pass through.

Vitamins and supplements for the brain

There are various dietary supplements in this category that can support the normal functioning of the brain. For example, the omega-3 fatty acid DHA is an essential building block for the brain, and B vitamins, including folic acid, contribute to brain and nerve functions related to learning, concentration, and memory. Shilajit - Primavie® from Ergomax, Neurofuel™ - Ciltep - Nootropics from Natural Stacks, NADH + CoQ10 - Lozenges from Seeking Health, and MitoQ® - Brain from MitoQ are examples of interesting brain supplements offered by Ergomax.

Stimulating your brain with exercise

You can stimulate your brain or enhance brain functions in many simple and enjoyable ways. Exercise not only has a positive effect on the body but also on the brain! It promotes, among other things, blood circulation and oxygen supply to the brain and the production of serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline. Certain games also enhance your cognitive skills, such as crossword puzzles, optical puzzles, or strategic games. It may not surprise you that meditation is good for your grey matter. The practice of thinking about nothing during meditation is, in itself, a brain exercise. Drawing, writing, and painting are activities that stimulate the creative parts of the brain and are associated with a better mood, memory, and thinking abilities.

Brain and nutrition

Just like certain activities, nutrition also significantly impacts brain health. We are increasingly understanding how the brain and nutrition influence each other. We now know that consuming enough vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids is essential for communication between nerve cells in the brain. For instance, choose fatty fish more often as it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and use olive oil instead of butter for cooking. Olive oil contains many beneficial unsaturated fats and is rich in vitamin E, which has antioxidant properties in the body. Moreover, the brain functions best with a stable, consistent supply of glucose, so it is advisable to avoid fast sugars and choose whole grains over white grain products.