Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Diet and Cognition

Diet can influence cognition and behavior in numerous ways. Diet issues including not enough food and insufficient intake of specific nutrients are just a few to name that effect brain cognition and behavior. An insufficient supply of foods has been found to influence brain neurochemistry and the development of the nervous system. The brain needs nourishments to continue to function and to maintain its strengths. Unfortunately there are some children and families that do not receive a sufficient food supply daily, causing them to be more likely to be prone to health issues, psychosocial behavior, and academic learning.  According to the Third Nutrition Examination Survey, in the United State there is a little over four precent of people in the population who suffer from insufficient food problems. Another issue that is common amongst cognition and behavior is insufficient nutrients. The amount of calories one intakes is not always the cause and effect of learning and behavior. Malnutrition is a huge part of the insufficient nutrients problems and can lead towards changes in brain neural-receptor functions as well as functions that are closely related to emotional responses to stressful events. Infants have been tested and proven that a deficiency in the intake of particular nutrients such as iron, zinc, and long chain fatty acids have been associated with lower performance on cognitive tests. I can be a prime example for this test as well, because I know that when I do not eat a proper meal or if I start to eat fast food and junk food, my entire body feels off set and I am much more lethargic then usual. In class I will not be able to stay awake the entire time and I will have trouble paying attention if I am malnourished or lacking sufficient supplies of nutrients. 

Resource: http://www.childrensdisabilities.info/allergies/dietlearningbehavior1.html

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