How does the brain use food as energy?

The brain is an organ that consumes energy. It occupies only 2% of the weight, but the energy swallowed by the brain exceeds 20% of the daily energy. Since the brain needs such high energy, the food we consume has a great influence on the function of the brain, from learning to memory and emotion.

Like other cells in the body, brain cells use sugars called glucose to promote cellular activity. This energy comes from the food we consume everyday and is regularly transmitted to the brain cells (called neurons) through the blood.

Studies have shown that the quality of food consumed during the lifetime affects the structure and function of the brain. For example, the uptake of omega-3 fatty acids in fish provides structural materials to maintain neurons. Studies also show that omega-3 fatty acids are essential for communication between brain cells. Conversely, it is known that foods rich in sugar and saturated fats promote oxidative stress and damage cell membranes.

The food you eat will also affect the molecules that support cognition in the brain. Some foods such as turmeric foods support cognition by helping to maintain molecular events related to energy metabolism.

Recent studies have shown that lifestyle choices that affect neuronal metabolism, such as diet and exercise, may provide a non-invasive and effective strategy to combat neurological and cognitive disorders I will.

Fernando Gomez-Pinilla is a professor of neurosurgery and general biology and physiology at the University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine. His research field focuses on the molecular mechanism of plasticity and restoration of the brain and spinal cord. His specific goal is to understand how lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise influence brain functions and fight against nervous system diseases.

In terms of energy consumption, the human brain is very strict. Energy is represented by calories in food. The brain uses about 20% to 30% of human energy intake. When people do not have enough calories with their diet, they are prone to change brain function. Studies have shown that by not having breakfast, the fluency of the story decreases, the ability to solve the problem decreases, and there is no motivation. Some fat is essential for normal brain function. The two lipids important for the brain are n - 6 and n - 3 fatty acids. Low levels of n - 3 can cause visual problems by seriously affecting the retina. Meals without n - 3 fatty acids can cause learning and movement disorders and may interfere with the use of neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin in the frontal cortex. N-6 fatty acids influence the release of neurotransmitters and help neurons use glucose as energy (Brain Guide, 2007)

Diet Therapy - When we apply mental energy, our brain burns glucose. Any food, including calories, will provide your brain with the glucose needed for it to function. But the sweet food gives you a short spurt of glucose, giving you short term energy, but will collapse later, and your energy level will decline in the long run. The ideal is to maintain a stable glucose level in the body. Then your brain can be stored steadily, and therefore energy can be maintained for a long time. Nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, red meat and other foods are perfect