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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 25, 2015)
Page 20 The Portland Observer Black History Month The Happy Food Diet The dopamine naturally pro- duced by your brain makes you feel good and have self confidence. You get a rush of dopamine in response to pleasurable activities. On the other hand, without enough dopam- ine, you may feel sluggish, de- pressed and uninterested in life. Here are excellent methods to boost your dopamine levels if you're feeling a little low. In order to make dopamine, your body needs tyrosine found natu- rally in certain food – essentially processed by your body into happy February 25, 2015 meats. Of course many dairy and meat products are high in calories and fat, so exercise caution and monitor your caloric intake with this high-dopamine diet. While the above foods will in- crease a positive chemical balance, to maintain their impact it is also important to increase your intake of antioxidants. Dopamine is easy to oxidize, and antioxidants may re- fuel. These foods include almonds, duce free radical damage to the brain avocados, bananas, low-fat dairy, meat and poultry, Lima beans, sesame and pumpkin seeds, which may all help your body to produce more dopamine through the con- version of their natural tyrosine. Tyrosine can be found in soy prod- ucts (like tofu, etc.), fish, dairy and cells that produce dopamine. Many fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants. Beta-carotene and carotenoids are in greens, orange vegetables and fruits, asparagus, broccoli and beets. A boost in vita- min C is available from peppers, oranges, strawberries, cauliflower and brussels sprouts. Finally, vita- min E is found in nuts and sunflower seeds, greens, broccoli and carrots. Even with a good diet, it’s impor- tant to maintain regular exercise to reap the full benefits of your in- creased happy mood, even if it means a daily walk, cycling commute or similar activity. Sweet Street Food Cart on the corner of MLK and Lombard call 503-995-6150 to place order Monday - Friday, 11:00am - 7:00pm Sweet Street Salutes Black History Month Buy one BBQ Dinner and get the 2nd one 1/2 off until February 28th, 2015 (Must be the same dinner)
