FORT LEE, Va. (March 5, 2015) -- In recognition of National Nutritional Awareness Month and Brain Injury Awareness Month, the Fort Lee Army Wellness Center, or AWC, is offering nutritional information for that grey matter between everyone's ears.
The human brain is the most complex structure in the universe with countless neurons. The brain has the ability to hold more information than all the libraries in the world. However, people do not always feel as if their brains are up to speed, especially as they reach their senior years. A brain's declining performance is not only due to age.
The staff at AWC understands community members need to know the importance of nutrition and health for keeping the most important "muscle" in their body healthy.
For starters, do not skimp on the carbohydrates. The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range, or carbohydrates, is 45-65 percent of the daily caloric requirement. While people constantly view carbs in a negative light, they often forget how important they are for exercise and the brain. The brain is only about 2 percent of an individual's total body weight, but it is a very greedy organ.
The brain uses more than 50 percent of the carbohydrates that individuals consume. The brain also is picky. The only source of energy the brain wants is that which comes from carbohydrates. People may find that as the brain is deprived of carbohydrates thinking becomes difficult and memory fades. These symptoms are present in a state known as hypoglycemia.
People can come to the Army Wellness Center and have a metabolic test done so the staff can give an individualized caloric recommendation to put their brain on a track for success.
Drink water. The average adult needs roughly 2-3 quarts of water per day or much more if exercise is performed regularly. Being properly hydrated allows the hypothalamus, a key part of the brain, to regulate body temperature. The hypothalamus uses a variety of cues that tell the blood to shunt away from the core (in the presence of heat) and shunt blood to the core (in the presence of freezing temperatures).
If one is not properly hydrated, the blood is thicker and has a slightly lower volume. With temperature regulation hindered, the brain's temperature will increase in hot environments bringing about a possible heat illness. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can cause muscle fatigue, dizziness, vomiting and even death!
To wrap things up, people should make sure to eat for success every day. Not only will their bodies' appreciate it, so will their minds.
For more information, contact AWC, which has all the resources for everyone to get on track to a healthy lifestyle. It has a variety of classes such as "Healthy Sleep Habits," "Stress Management" and the post favorite "Upping Your Metabolism." The center can be reached by calling (804) 734-9384.
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