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It's that obvious. No one has to tell you that pears are better than burritos when it comes to nutritional value and health benefits. But if you want to maintain or attain sharp brain power, choosing the right food should not be left to chance or to what seems to be plainly discernible.

Yes, it is true that food items such as vegetables and fruits, fish, poultry and olive oil can give your brain the amount of boost that it needs; but when you talk about brain food, you must be able to look beyond what is enumerated on the doctor's to-buy list. Think of your brain as a machine, as such it needs fuel. But instead of losing your head about the brand of petrol, why not learn about the types of fuel that can make your brain or motor run.

Indeed, good nutrition is what you need to make your brain fit at all times. But the fact of the matter is that you do not need to rank the food that you buy according to how they will contribute to your brain's health. No single food element can be better than others. As long as you know what kind of substances can be good for your brain, you will find it easy to shop for food and increase your brain power. Basically, the brain needs the three following nutrients to keep it sharp and alert no matter how old you are.

Proteins

Protein serves as the ignition key of your brain. It starts the whole engine ready for thinking mode and more. The neurotransmitters in your brain need a steady supply of essential amino acids for them to start communicating with other neurotransmitters, processing information, and building new brain cells.

To supply your brain with enough essential amino acids, you need to consume sufficient amounts of protein. Amino acids are the basic elements found in protein. Lean meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products are good sources of protein, but you might want to be careful with too much red meat as these can cause some health risks. To be safe, you can try acquiring protein from vegetables, beans and grains.

Fats

Brain is essentially a fatty tissue that weighs around three pounds. It is just fitting that it needs fat to make it function efficiently. But gorging on just any kind of fat will not make a genius out of you. Your brain needs the right kind of fat, which are Omega 6 and Omega 3 essential fatty acids.

Knowing this, it will be easy for you to understand why you need salmon and tuna. Or why your doctor recommends lots of nuts and seeds like walnuts, peanuts, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds. Knowing that your brain needs essential fatty acids and not just any fatty substance, you attain a broader view about one of the most important brain food that you need, and that's without looking at a list.

Micronutrients

Micronutrients are elements or substances that are beneficial for your brain, and overall health for that matter, as they can protect your cells from the harshness of oxidation. You see, the brain needs lots of oxygen for it to function, but the same oxygen molecules can damage the very brain cells that make use of them. Before you lose all your brain cells, you need to feed your brain with micronutrients like minerals and vitamins for it to withstand the effects of oxidation.

Antioxidant properties can be found in micronutrients that come from fruits and vegetables. Always choose green leafy vegetables and fruits that have bright colors. And never forget that organic produce is always the best.

Indeed, as you learn these three important fuels for your brain, you attain a deeper understanding about the needs of your brain. And this awareness goes beyond what is obvious or what is ordered by your doctor.