Fuel your well-being: How to avoid concentration lapses?

1. Introduction

Frédéric Bisson welcomes Lynn Goneau, naturopath from La Boite à Grains, to discuss natural solutions to improve concentration.

2. Causes of lack of concentration

Lynn identifies various factors such as stress, anxiety, depression and burnout that can affect concentration.

3. Food to boost concentration

Lynn recommends a diet rich in omega-3s, good fats, good carbohydrates, antioxidants and adequate hydration to promote concentration.

4. Supplements for Better Concentration

Lynn presents the supplements Nutripur Genius, including Genius children and adolescents, designed to help with ADHD and nervousness.

5. Conclusion

Lynn gives her availability times at La Boite à Grains for consultations and concludes the discussion on natural ways to improve concentration.

About the author

Lynn Goneau, Qualified Naturopath

Specialized in:

• Digestive health
• Hormonal health
• Stress and fatigue
• Memory and concentration
• Weight management

Frédéric Bisson, radio host at 104.7 FM

Host at the 104.7 FM radio station on the Cogeco network. Frédéric Bisson hosts the show L'Outaouais Now from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week since February 27, 2023.

Transcription

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (00:18):

It is with great pleasure that we find naturopath Lynn Goneau who works at La Boite à Grains and who comes to help us with all kinds of small problems that we may have in our lives and that we might not be tempted to treat or cure with medication. Hello Lynn Goneau.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (00:40):

Hello Fred.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (00:40):

I have the impression that you wrote this column for me. This morning I didn't sleep well, am I having difficulty concentrating? We're talking about that today.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (00:50):

What is it again, Frédéric?

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (00:52):

Sometimes listeners text me to say I'm shuffled like a pack of cards.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (00:57):

I have solutions for you.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (00:58):

I love it. So, what are the causes when we lack concentration like this?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (01:04):

In fact, it can be anxiety and stress because we understand that we need to be calm to concentrate.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (01:10):

Yes.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (01:12):

Depression. When you're depressed, the last thing you want to do is really focus on one thing in particular. It can be professional exhaustion, a famous burn-out. It could be high pressure.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (01:25):

Oh yes? That's surprising.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (01:26):

When we have high pressure, it affects our ability to concentrate well. From insomnia. That's it, it's you, Fred in the morning.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (01:36):

But last night, there was a little accident that I talked about at the start of the show, coyotes in my street who made a lot of noise. So I couldn't go back to sleep.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (01:45):

Concentration is going to be a little more of a challenge today.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (01:49):

Perfect.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (01:49):

It can be ADHD in children or adults.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (01:53):

Which I have anyway.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (01:54):

Whether I also have a good or poorly balanced diet.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (01:58):

Okay, so let's get started. If we want solutions to concentrate better with food, how can we help ourselves?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (02:06):

In fact, you should know that what the brain needs to function well is fat, omega-3.

We need good fat. This is very important. And another is good carbs.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (02:19):

Do we need carbohydrates too?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (02:21):

Yes, people tend to shy away from them, but they are important. Antioxidants too.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (02:28):

Because it releases what we call them free radicals.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (02:30):

Free radicals. Which means we rust.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (02:34):

Yes, that's it.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (02:34):

Antioxidants allow us not to rust or to rust less. Water, lots of water. This is very important. Then researchers noticed that adolescents who have a diet that is low in omega-3 means that they are not feeding their frontal cortex with good fat, which means that there will be difficulty with decision-making. Motivation, we often find, is the control of emotions.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (03:09):

Because the brain is fat. It's good fat. It's omega-3. So if your brain is dry, let's add a little.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (03:16):

Especially this part in front of the frontal cortex. Then obviously, we must not forget Frédéric either that for the brain to function well, as we said earlier, it needs energy, that it uses at least 20% of it to carry out its functions.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (03:34):

20% of the body's energy.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (03:37):

Yes. Which we consume as food.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (03:40):

Wow.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (03:41):

Oh yes. So the energy obviously comes from the good carbohydrates that we will eat.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (03:45):

But yes, it is indeed and of all vitamins, minerals. So what do you suggest we do if we lack concentration?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (03:53):

Obviously the good fats. Yes. Important. So trout, tuna, sardines, all seafood, shellfish, all contain good fats. Yes. Then nuts and seeds. Yes. Yes. That's full of good fats. If it's to protect your brain, that's not difficult. Add to your salad, especially walnuts, I particularly favor them. You can sprinkle pumpkin seeds on your soup or in your fruit bowl. I like it with fruit.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (04:28):

In yogurt when you get home from work. A little bit of nuts. It has become one of my favorite snacks.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (04:34):

Or flax seeds, too. It's delicious. Turmeric, turmeric, because it's anti-inflammatory. And that’s yet another easy way to consume it. Then I like it, putting it in hot milk in the evening before going to bed.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (04:50):

What about whole grains for carbohydrates?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (04:53):

Absolute. It's an absolute. Then you shouldn't necessarily eat them in large quantities either. We can talk about one serving, a quarter cup of rice or quinoa or half a cup of pasta. These are good carbohydrates. We don't need a large quantity. It nourishes our brain. Fruits, especially blueberries.

This promotes the transmission of brain signals with all the little signals that are made in your brain. This is important so that you can make good connections.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (05:24):

Green tea, dark chocolate? Dark chocolate takes getting used to. Oh ok. Ok, I mean, me at the top of 70% I find that a little, a little, uh, a little rich.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (05:38):

We're just talking about a small square. Yes, I understand just mix it with something.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (05:51):

And water. How much?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (05:52):

Up to two liters of water. This is important because if you are dehydrated, you don't have the ability to concentrate.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (06:00):

Okay, so that's for the food. Like every week, you bring us ideas with supplements.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (06:07):

Two supplements. I have the Genius range from the Nutripur company. They made liquid mixtures. There is one. It's called Genius children and adolescents. This is really a winning formula because it is made of omega-3. So the fish we were talking about, sometimes mackerel, sardines, can help a lot, a lot with ADHD that we often find in children and nervousness.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (06:31):

When I feel a little down or I go to get more omega-3, it takes two weeks and I see the difference.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (06:37):

I recommend taking it long term, not just occasionally so your body can use it fully.

Frederic Bisson - Host 104.7FM (07:00):

Excellent. Good to know Lynn. If we want to meet you in person, maybe ask you for an autograph, but otherwise some advice.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath La Boite à Grains (07:08):

Every Tuesday at La Boite à Grains in Gréber, I am there from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m.