brain health alicia brown, rd, ld. overview the brain functions of the brain general nutrition...
TRANSCRIPT
BRAIN HEALTH
Alicia Brown, RD, LD
Overview
The Brain Functions of the Brain General Nutrition for the Brain Brain Issues:
Stroke Brain Cancer or Tumor Seizures
Review
The Brain
The center of the nervous system Extremely complex
Cerebral cortex contains 15-35 billion neurons
Controls the other organ systems of the body Activating muscles Secretion of hormones
Despite scientific progress, much about how the brain works remains a mystery.
The Brain (cont.)
Regions of the Brain: Cerebrum Frontal lobe Parietal lobe Occipital lobe Cerebellum Temporal lobe Brain Stem Spinal Cord
Functions of the Brain
Neurotransmitter Sending signals to other parts of the body
Sensory systems Sight, sound, taste, touch, smell
Motor systems Body movement, reflexes, involuntary
movements Arousal system
Cycle of sleeping and waking
Nutrition for the Brain
Protein Provides the building blocks to make tissues
and are used to make neurotransmitters Carbohydrate
Provides the main source of energy for the brain Glucose or sugar
Fat The brain is more than 60% fat
Plays a key role in transmission of information Omega 3 fatty acids are essential
Nutrition for the Brain (cont.) Vitamins
B complex vitamins play a role in producing energy
A, C and E are antioxidants Minerals
Magnesium and manganese are needed for brain energy
Sodium, potassium and calcium facilitate the transmission of messages
Nutrition for the Brain (cont.) Improper diet or lack of nutrients can
effect: Mood Thinking capacity Energy level Motivation Developmental status
Brain Issues - Stroke
Many individuals are malnourished upon admission to hospital after stroke Elderly at highest risk
Malnutrition can increase due to: Low-conscious level Unsafe swallowing Arm or facial weakness Poor mobility Ill fitting dentures
Brain Issues – Stroke (cont.)
Nutrition after a stroke Taste of foods may change Motor skills needed to eat may be impaired Keeping a desirable body weight may be a
problem No cure-all to improve status Overall healthy diet is recommended
Brain Issues - Stroke
Eating after a stroke Each person’s diet must be individualized
after a stroke May use special utensils to ease eating Proper dental health and proper fitting
dentures Eating softer foods
Reduces risk of choking if individual is at risk Especially until motor skills are relearned or
individual is comfortable feeding themselves
Brain Issues - Stroke
Preparing foods after a stroke If meat has off-flavor use:
Marinades Sauces Cook with fruit/juices
Seasonings such as oregano, rosemary, basil, and pepper have strong flavors
Tart foods may be desirable Oranges, lemons, lemonade
Flavor vegetables with garlic or onion
Brain Issues - Stroke
Preparing foods after a stroke Eating foods at room temperature can
enhance taste Liquids may need to be thickened
Maintaining a desirable weight Eat a variety of foods Balance the amount eaten and exercise Choose whole grains, vegetables, and fruits Avoid high fat foods Drink alcohol in moderation
Brain Issues - Stroke
Prevention Control high blood pressure Manage diabetes No tobacco Lower cholesterol levels Maintain healthy weight Regular physical activity General healthy diet
Brain Issues – Cancer or Tumor Cancer, Tumors and treatments may
create nutrition related side-effects Diet is an important part of cancer
treatment Eating healthy foods before and after
treatment can help an individual feel better and stay stronger
Treatment can often cause side effect which make it difficult to eat well Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, mouth sores, trouble swallowing, depression, pain
Brain Issues – Cancer and Tumors Anorexia and cachexia are common
factors for malnutrition in cancer patients Anorexia – the loss of appetite or desire to
eat Very common side-effect of cancer or tumor
Cachexia – a wasting syndrome Less common in brain tumors or cancer
Brain Issues – Cancer and Tumors Anorexia suggestions:
Eat small high protein and high calorie meals every 1-2 hours
Have help preparing meals Add extra calories (butter, skim milk powder) Store small portions of favorite foods so they
are ready to eat when hungry Eat larger portions in the morning Avoid foods with strong odors Try new foods
Brain Issues – Cancer and Tumors Good eating habits during cancer care
can help individuals cope with the effects of the cancer or tumor and treatment Proper nutrition before and during
treatment may mean patients can handle high doses of treatment
Some treatments more effective when patient consumes adequate protein and overall calores
Brain Issues – Cancer and Tumors Nutrition and Prevention
Choose foods low in fat Choose foods low in salt Maintain a healthy weight Regular physical activity Drink alcohol in moderation No tobacco
Brain Issues - Seizures
Seizure happen because of sudden, abnormal electrical activity in the brain Not all seizures cause convulsions Most last from 30 seconds to 2 minutes Most do not cause lasting harm Is an emergency if seizure lasts longer than
5 minutes or if a person has many seizures and does not wake up between them
Recurring seizures due to a brain disorder is called epilepsy
Brain Issues – Seizures (cont.) Seizures can be treated with a ketogenic
diet High in fats Low in carbohydrates Mostly success in children Developed over 80 years ago Very strict Helps 2 out of 3 children with epilepsy Should only be tried if 2 or 3 medications
have failed Takes the commitment of a whole family to
succeed
Brain Issues – Seizures (cont.) What the ketogenic diet does
Normally the brain runs on glucose After 24 hours of starvation, the body uses
all of its stored glucose, and the body begins to burn fat
It forces the body to burn fat constantly by keeping calories low and providing the patient with high fat foods
It is the mimicking of starvation that reduces the seizures
Brain Issues - Seizures
Side Effects This treatment should not be tried without
the assistance of a doctor and a dietitian Most common side effects:
Dehydration Constipation Kidney or gall stones Pancreatitis Decreased bone density Eye problems Vitamin depletion – can be added through
supplements
Brain Issues - Seizures
Ketogenic Diet Example Menu 1 Day, 1500 kcal Breakfast: egg with bacon, made with heavy whipping
cream and butter, plus an apple Snack: peanut butter mixed with butter Lunch: tuna salad
made with celery, mayonnaise, and heavy whipping cream, served with lettuce
Snack: “keto” yogurt (made with heavy whipping cream, sour cream, strawberries, and artificial sweetener)
Dinner: cheeseburger with lettuce and green beans Snack: “keto” custard (heavy whipping cream, egg, and
pure unsweetened vanilla flavoring)
Review
There is no cure-all for stroke, cancer, tumors, or seizures
Often, general good nutrition and diet is the best method for recovery
Ketogenic diets for seizures is a serious commitment and but does have good chance for success
Discuss all nutrition issues with a Registered Dietitian
Resources
“Stroke and Nutrition”. http://www.bethabe.org/ Stroke_and_Nutrition172.html. Beth Abraham Family of Health Services.
M Dennis. “Nutrition after stroke.” British Medical Bulletin. http://bmb.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/ reprint/56/2/466. 2000:56; 466-475.
“Stroke – Prevention”. Feb 12, 2009. http://www.cdc.gov /stroke/prevention.htm. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Nutrition in Cancer Care”. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/.
“Seizures”. MedlinePlus Trust Health information for You. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/seizures.html#cat10.