Bloggin Noggin

To understand why antioxidants are important  here is a little refresher on school science. Remember that electrons, proteins and neutrons make up atoms? Atoms want their electrons to be in pairs to be seen as stable. Unstable groups of atoms have one or more unpaired electrons. In our bodies, these unstable atoms are called free radicals and they try to make themselves a pair by stealing electrons from other atoms-this can cause a problem.

Along with other B vitamins, B6 is a team player and helps convert sugar into glucose which our brain and body needs for fuel.  B6 is also important for general circulation and facilities storage of energy  from our food. B6, B9 and B12 work together to lower the level of homocysteine (ho-mo-cis-teene)- high levels of homocysteine are linked to heart disease. And what is good for your heart is also good for your brain.

What we drink, when and how much of it also matters for how we feel, our memory and brain health.

Bite sized information on our favourite nutrients

Noggin vitamins and minerals supplements contain a multivitamin and mineral complex, including all 8 forms of vitamin B, to help support energy levels and your immune system. 

We love to boogie, and not just on a Saturday night. Can dancing make us feel better? According to Dr Peter Lovatt, psychologist and dance expert, the answer is a big YES ( what an amazing job that must be…). Dancing, in different ways to other types of exercise, has the power to change the way we think, how we feel and boost our mood. 

We now know that more than half of your body is not human! Human cells make up only 43% of the body’s total cell count. The rest make up the body’s microbiome and is made up of bacteria, viruses, fungi and archaea (similar to bacteria). This means that you’re more microbe than you are human.

There is a whole area of research dedicated to how music affects your brain- it’s called neuromusicology. (what a great name!). Music activates all areas of your brain and whether you are listening to it, playing it or humming it - music is a brain health must. Why? Music has been shown to make you happier, healthier and even more productive throughout life.

Dr. Seuss once wrote, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Over the coming weeks as our children are off school, it’s a great opportunity to look after your child’s brain health with reading. 

Sleep. In these scary and uncertain times our immune systems are facing a potential unknown threat. This in itself is stressful which is not beneficial for the intricacies of our immune system response. The good news is sleep is a key component to helping us feel better and supporting our immune systems year round. 

Our gut health is an important part of our immune system and also for our general well being. Bloating, pain and problems with constipation, gas and burping are symptoms I hear about from my patients regularly. 

It’s not always easy to pack your diet with body-boosting vitamins and minerals throughout the day, so multi-vitamin supplements can help give your brain, eyes and body the nutrition it needs. Healthy eyes rely on a number of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to stay healthy.