Nagpur Today: Meat, eggs and dairy products, are rich in high-quality protein, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. These foods, which are all derived from animals, are the richest sources of complete, or high-quality, protein in the diet. Proteins consist of building blocks, called amino acids. Certain amino acids cannot be manufactured in the human body, so we need to obtain these “essential” amino acids from the food we eat. During periods of rapid growth, such as pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, the teenage years, and when one is recovering from wasting illnesses, our bodies require high-quality protein in larger quantities than when we are not building body tissues. Certain athletes also need more protein when they are training to achieve optimal muscle growth.
According to sources, Amino Acid found in foods such as meat, eggs and dairy products, is essential for normal brain development. An amino acid, found in foods such as meat, eggs and dairy products, is essential for normal brain development, the scientists have found. Asparagine was until now considered non-essential because it is produced naturally by the body.
Researchers at the University of Montreal and its affiliated CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital found that brain cells depend on the local synthesis of asparagines to function properly.
Nagpur Today spoke some dietitians of Nagpur on the above mentioned thought. Their views are as follows:
Dietician of Wockhardt Hospital Nagpur, Isha Bandale said that meat, eggs and dairy products contains essential sources such as fatty acids; especially omega-3 fatty acids which plays a vital role in the normal development of brain and the nervous system. However, Proteins function as building blocks for bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood. She said that they are also building blocks for enzymes, hormones, and vitamins. She added that fish is another important source of protein, and contains many vitamins and minerals. Oily fish is particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acid which is essential for growth and repair of the body.
Dietician Swati Payal opined that these products not only help in the development of brain but also in the proper blood circulation and functioning of the organs. These products like meat, fish and poultry food group make important contributions to our nutrient intakes. She said that balanced diet, meditation and exercise also play a very important role in our healthy lifestyle and brain development. She further said that by eating a proper, nutritious diet offers numerous health benefits that keep us mentally and physically well.
Dietician Rakhi Kalantri said that according to another study, poppy seeds too contribute for brain development. Nowadays products such as meat, eggs, dairy products and even for that matter vegetables are not available in their natural forms rather these products are available in the hybrid form or are genetically modified. Due to the adulteration of dairy products, vegetables and all other pulses and food grains our health affects to a great extent. She also said that use of harmful fertilizers also play a vital role in spoiling the essential nutrients, proteins and valuable vitamins. She added that for a brain healthy diet one should eat dark fruits and vegetables such as kale, spinach, broccoli, prunes, raisins, blueberries, raspberries, plums and cherries. She further added sprouted pulses are also the rich sources of nutrition. Sprouting grains and seeds increases vitamins and mineral content many times over. It also helps to deactivate some factors that do not allow proper utilization of some nutrients by the body.
Intake of food whether, vegetarian or non-vegetarian alone does not play a vital role in the brain development. Other main factors like genetic and hereditary factors play a vital role in the brain development. Apart from this, how much does a man or a woman hone his brain, how much exercise does he or she gives the brain helps in developing the brain. One needs to look at the Body mass index, area or region of the residence, food habits; exercise and all other factors play an important role.
By Pallavi Madke
