Dear friend, dear friend,
Scientists have known for a long time that edible plants are generally good for your health and for the brain in particular.(1).
A very comprehensive review of the existing scientific literature on immunity and aging was carried out in 2016 by Sergio Davinelli, Michael Maes and Graziamaria Corbi, an Italian research team from the University of Molise.
This region of Italy lies north of Puglia and south of Abruzzo. This region takes its name from a Norman count, Guimond de Moulins, who conquered and united it in the 11th century. Moulins became Molisio and this gave Molise(2).
In antiquity, the region was called Samnium. Inhabited by the Samnites, it was one of the keys to the conquest of southern Italy by the Romans, but that’s another story(3)…
For our Italian researchers, therefore, the great discovery of recent years is the importance of low-grade inflammation, i.e. the body’s reaction to an attack(3).
The fire is smoldering….
This can be trauma, infection, or an autoimmune attack. It can come from the outside like a wound or be internal like a cancer.(2).
This inflammation is referred to as “low grade” when it becomes chronic and does not give visible signs.(3).
It is an ignition without noise, without our noticing it.
But she is there. The aggression is continuous.
And the body does not stop being stressed by this permanent alert and it produces inflammation at all times to counter this attack.(4,5).
And this situation is not without risk: it can trigger a chronic disease, a disease of civilization or an autoimmune problem.
Low-grade ignition represents the same risk as the embers of a badly extinguished fire: the fire might start once more at any time.(4,5) !
The brain can also be affected
Low-grade inflammation often has effects on the digestive system(1,4).
The first noticeable sign may be bloating and digestive disorders.
It can also be marked by increased and regular fatigue and by mood disorders.
Once once more the gut-brain axis is preponderant(1,4).
What affects the gut usually ends up having an effect on the brain.
This is why what you eat is so important to your moods, but also to your cognitive abilities, your memory and the risk of premature brain aging.
In their study, our Molise researchers insist on the risks that low-grade inflammation represents for the brain.
Indeed, the latter consists mainly of fats. It is a fragile environment, sensitive to oxidative stress.
Moreover, the metabolic activity that takes place there is very high.
Thus, oxidation linked to free radicals and inflammation can have important consequences, in particular on the aging of neurons.
The decisive role of lutein
Your brain likes plant pigments called carotenoids(6,7,8).
They give food its red, orange or yellow color.
They enhance the green of certain plants and algae.
These substances include: lycopene, beta-carotene, astaxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin.
These last two carotenoids would be of vital importance for the eyes and more generally for the brain(8).
Lutein in particular might protect your brain from low-grade inflammation(6,7).
It has been associated with better cognition in older people.
Thus, it appears that patients with Alzheimer’s disease have lower levels of lutein in the eyes and in the brain.(6,7).
And it is increasingly highlighted by nutritionists(6,7).
Where are you going to get your lutein intake?
One of the most lutein-rich foods is broccoli, raw or even cooked.
You can steam it and serve it with delicious olive oil.
Likewise, kale is a safe bet, as well as cooked or raw spinach, Swiss chard, Brussels sprouts and cabbage of all kinds are rich in lutein(7,8).
Be careful, however, these crucifers are not necessarily easy to digest for everyone.
Sometimes it’s good to have a small portion on a regular basis rather than a large plate which will go down badly.
On the other hand, you can complete your cabbages with all the salads and young shoots you want.
These salads are also rich in lutein(7) !
Finally, it is also found in eggs and avocados, but in lesser proportions.
All this research on lutein has been confirmed in France in the context of work carried out by INSERM and a study called ALIENOR(9).
The researchers conclude that nothing beats a Mediterranean diet to avoid dementia and Alzheimer’s disease(9).
Enjoy your food !
Augustine of Livois
