How your Brain Makes Energy

How your Brain Makes Energy

The brain requires a tremendous amount of energy to do its job. To fuel this incredible processing power, like a household light bulb, the brain requires only 20 watts.1

Your brain is made up of networks of tiny cells called neurons that communicate electrochemically to enable you to think, feel, and interact with the world around you. Neurons are the primary consumers of glucose, and glucose consumption appears to correlate with brain activity.

Our digestive system converts carbohydrates found in food into the glucose the brain uses to fuel its energy. The mitochondria in our cells serve as a tiny cellular power plant; the sugars and oxygen in our blood generate the energy in our bodies.

Getting proper sleep, adequate exercise, and proper nutrition can help your brain’s ability to produce energy and function properly.

Nutrition plays a vital role in energy production. Proper nutrition can and vitamin levels in the body boost our energy and help prevent dementia and memory loss. Omega-3 fatty acids, B Vitamins, Vitamin K, Vitamin E, Lycopene and Zinc are critical to your brain’s ability to produce energy.

Our brains use roughly 20 percent of our energy each day. Our brains change with age, and mental function changes along with it. Focusing on a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition is our best defense against an aging brain and body.

North Suffolk Neurology is a full-service Neurology, Headache Medicine, and Sleep Medicine practice consisting of dedicated, experienced staff committed to helping our patients and their families maintain and improve their health. For appointments, call us at (631) 364-9119.