8. Drink your milk

According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), milk and other dairy products are the best sources of calcium: not only do they contain an abundant amount of the mineral, but the lialcium in milk is readily absorbed and assimilated in the body. Recall 61 Carper, 2001. 62 Ursell, 2000. 63 Homocysteine is an amino acid believed to be a major risk factor in the development of atherosclerosis and circulatory problems. 64 McCully, 1999. that Prophet Muhammad (~) said: «I do not know of a more complete food or drink than milk.» 65 Why is calcium important for the brain? It used to be thought that calcium was only essential for strong bones and teeth and for the proper function of muscles, but new studies show that, besides being a nerve and muscle relaxant, 66 calcium plays a crucial role in memory formation. Calcium facilitates the communication between brain neurons upon receiving new input information. It encourages the development of new connections at the synaptic levels (nerve junctions) thus strengthening the pattern of the acquired knowledge. 67 Milk and dairy are also very good sources of B vitamins, which, as mentioned above, are essential for brain health.