Welcome to the newest issue of How to Become a Genius!

What's in this issue:

1. Tips on How to Keep up With the Daily News in 15 Minutes
2. It's time for Brain Food!

Tips on How to Keep up With the Daily News in 15 Minutes
by Paul R. Scheele

Tip 1: Disregard redundant information to save time now.

News is redundant: previewed yesterday...detailed today...summed up tomorrow.

When reading news, whether from a report, newspaper, magazine or newsletter, skip what you already know. Make sure to you get the new information you need.

Look for the most pertinent information to match your purpose for reading. A strong purpose immediately increases your reading speed and comprehension. Be clear about what you want, then quickly search to find it. Don't just read for the sake of reading unless you have chosen to pass leisure time.

Give yourself just 10-15 minutes in the morning to review the news. This time constraint gently forces you to get focused. Come back in the evening to get whatever you have to or want to. You may discover it to be ancient history by evening.

Tip 2: Read headlines and first paragraphs only.

Review headlines and select articles you want to read based on your interest or purpose for reading. Read the first paragraph to preview the article.

Reporters present 80% of the key information in the opening paragraph. The subsequent supporting text should be read only as needed. Follow this strategy:

Ask yourself what other specific details you want. Let it go if there are none.

Skim the article for the desired details. "Dip" into the article and read those paragraphs. Don't read all the words unless you have the luxury of unlimited time.

When finished with an article go on to the next. This whole process should not take more than 10-15 minutes.

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It's time for Brain Food!
by Neera Chaudhary

It's crunch time for many of us which means we'll all be needing a little brain food. Studies are finding that the right foods can help you concentrate, stay motivated, and improve your memory.

How can foods affect your brain function?

Some foods contain nutrients that are used to manufacture certain brain chemicals that may enhance mental tasks like memory, concentration, and reaction time. These nutrients may even prevent brain aging. For example, protein foods enhance the brain's production of dopamine, a natural brain chemical that helps one to feel alert. Carbohydrates, on the other hand, result in the production of serotonin, a natural brain chemical that can cause drowsiness.

Certain types of foods are used exclusively by the brain for energy. Glucose in the bloodstream is the brain's only source of energy. So it's important that you eat at regular intervals to prevent your blood sugar levels from dropping too low.

Certain nutrients are needed for proper growth and development of brain cells. A special type of omega-3 fat called DHA is needed for brain development for a fetus and during infancy. Brain cells are constantly refreshing themselves with these fatty acids and need a constant supply from the diet.

What are some foods that can improve brain function?

Iron-rich Foods
Studies show that iron deficiency anemia is a risk factor for poor school performance in children. Iron is needed to carry oxygen to the brain cells and it's used to make brain neurotransmitters, especially the ones that regulate the ability to pay attention, which is crucial to learning. Iron deficiency causes poor attention span and affects learning ability. Last year, UK researchers studied 595 teenaged girls and found a significant correlation between low iron levels and poor cognitive function. According to the study, a very small drop in iron levels caused a fall in IQ score.

The best sources of iron include lean beef, whole grain breakfast cereals, whole grain breads, raisins, dried apricots, legumes, bean dips, and bran muffins. By having source of vitamin C (like orange juice) with whole grains you will enhance the amount of iron your body absorbs by fourfold. Women aged 19-50, need more iron than men, and it may be difficult to obtain this from diet alone. I recommend a multivitamin and mineral supplement each day to help meet iron needs.

Fish and Fish oils
The type of fat we eat is very important for a healthy functioning brain. 60% of the brain's solid matter is composed of essential fatty acids. Omega-3 fats found in cold water fish make up a large portion of the communicating membranes of the brain. Brain cells must constantly refresh themselves with a new supply of fatty acids. DHA is a particular omega-3 fatty acid found in fish that appears to boost brain development.

While most Canadians likely eat too much fat, we may not be getting nearly enough omega-3's for optimal brain health. Aim to eat oily fish three times a week. If you don't like fish, consider a mixed fish oil supplement that provides about 500 milligrams of DHA and EPA combined. You can also consume flaxseed oil, canola oil, walnuts and omega-3 eggs to get another type of omega-3 fat (called alpha linolenic acid). The body converts some of this fat to DHA.

Blueberries
Just last month American researchers reported an animal and human study that found that eating one-cup of blueberries a day reduced aging-related damage in the brain. Blueberries also appeared to prevent mental decline in mice genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer's disease.

Blueberries are an excellent source of antioxidants. Products of normal metabolism known as free radicals can injure brain cells. Antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables neutralize free radicals before they can harm cells.

The researchers believe that blueberries protect the brain through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.

Breakfast & Carbohydrate Foods
Breakfast is very important for enhancing learning and mental performance. Many studies have shown that children who skip breakfast do not perform as well in areas of mathematics, problem solving, information selection and recall and language skills compared to kids who do eat breakfast. Breakfast foods supply carbohydrate (glucose), which the brain cells use for energy. After a night of fasting blood sugar levels are low and need to be replenished.

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Thanks for reading everyone, and have a great day! Please pass this issue on to friends in appreciation of the knowledge you have gained.

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