Diet, Brain, Behavior. Practical Implications

Description

As the field of nutritional neuroscience has grown, both the scientific community and the general population have expressed a heightened interest in the effect of nutrients on behavior. Diet, Brain, Behavior: Practical Implications presents the work of a diverse group of scientists who collectively explore the broad scope of research in the field.

The subject matter of each chapter in this volume was chosen to ensure the current or potential for further applicability to practical, applied issues. Topics discussed include:

• Concepts of mental energy and fatigue
• The dangers of obesity and its effect on behavior
• Exercise, dietary restriction, and supplements for weight loss
• The effects of caffeine, creatine, theanine, B vitamins, and other dietary supplements on brain functioning and behavior
• The reward deficiency hypothesis and eating disorders
• The importance of maintaining proper fluid intake
• The effects of eating breakfast on performance
• The role of diet in pain sensitivity

During the past decade, there has been an explosion in research and publications in this field. This collection of contributions represents the cutting edge of current research and new advancements in this area. The book provides essential information to those working in a diverse range of fields, including nutrition, neuroscience, psychology, and exercise physiology as well as medicine, dietetics, and occupational therapy.

Features

• Addresses practical and applied issues in Nutritional Neuroscience
• Includes a scientific and commercial perspective on nutritional supplements and brain function
• Examines a wide variety of dietary supplements and foods
• Discusses obesity and the brain

Table of Contents

• Mental Energy and Fatigue: Science and the Consumer; Harris R. Lieberman
• Hydration and Brain Function; Kristen E. D’Anci
• Diet as an Analgesic Modality; Alexis M. Codrington, Yoram Shir, and John Pereira
• Breakfast and Adult and Child Behaviors; Andrew P. Smith
• Diet, Physical Activity, and Substrate Oxidation: Implications for Appetite Control, Weight Loss, and Body Composition; Mark Hopkins, Neil A. King, and John E. Blundell
• The Reward Deficiency Hypothesis: Implications for Obesity and Other Eating Disorders; Brenda M. Geiger, Erin N. Umberg, and Emmanuel N. Pothos
• Potential Consequences of Obesity on Cognitive Behavior; Nicole A. Jurdak and Robin B. Kanarek
• Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss; Igho Onakpoya and Edzard Ernst
• Sweet Taste Preferences and Cravings in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM): Implications for Diet and Medical Management; Beverly J. Tepper, Lisa M. Belzer, John C. Smulian, and Shou-En Lu
• Homocysteine, B Vitamins, and Cognitive Function; Joshua W. Miller
• Creatine, Brain Functioning, and Behavior; Patricia J. Allen, Kristen E. D’Anci, and Robin B. Kanarek
• Theanine, Mood, and Behavior; Jessica E. Smith and Peter J. Rogers
• Caffeine: Practical Implications; Andrew P. Smith
• Caffeine Effects on Aggression and Risky Decision Making; Caroline R. Mahoney, Tad T. Brunyé, and Grace E. Giles
• Index

Author

Robin B. Kanarek is a John Wade Professor, Professor of Psychology, and Adjunct Professor of Nutrition at Tufts University. He received his Ph.D. in Psychology from Rutgers University, in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Harris R. Lieberman is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Connecticut. His research interests include nutritional factors, dietary supplements and brain function, effects of nutrition on human cognitive performance, and environmental stress and central nervous system function.