Hey, I just had a quick question. If I was wasn't given the proper nutrition when I was grown up like most people (I'm 19 now), does that mean that if I was given the proper nutrition that I'd be smarter than I am right now?
Would this lack of nutrition cause make brain to develop more slowly that normal, making me not as smart now?
Also, if this is correct, does that mean I can never get that potential intelligence back, or will my brain still grow and develop now as it would have when I was younger as long as it gets the right nutrition?
Invictious
Sep2-08, 06:22 AM
First of all, to answer your question, yes certain types of nutrition are beneficial to brain growth (eat your fishies!). Someone else can elaborate on this further, because things like folic acid when you are still in the womb etc also have an effect.
Second of all, your prefrontal cortex actually does not stop developing until you are around 24. This is visible as your views of things will change.
Of course I'm being quite general here. Hopefully someone will drop by and articulate this.
Proton Soup
Oct30-08, 02:17 AM
yes, of course, and it's probably a huge factor in mental disparities between rich and poor nations, and rich and poor people in a given nation.
a few things i am aware of: cobalamin, choline, DHA, and maybe zinc. fish, eggs, liver, and lean meats would all be great pregnancy foods. folate, that is necessary for neural development and growth could be obtained from fruits and vegetables. alcohol is a poison that can cause retardation, so avoid it.
and environment is important. mental stimulation should be as rich and varied as the diet. without the right stimulation at the right time, some mental abilities may not develop fully.