India needs a set of focused guidelines on nutrition for the brain. The science which is advanced in the western world is  in its infancy  in India although caught the attention of physicians and surgeons.

The prevalence of widespread maternal malnutrition leads to high prevalence of low birth weight of infants and high mother and baby mortality. Specific nutrient deficiencies during early stage of foetus developments impact brain development and result in cognitive impairment, according to the Indian Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (IAPEN) which has now issued national guidelines for the brain food circulated among medical fraternity in Bengaluru.
 
Comprehending the importance of brain nutrition, IAPEN released a clinical handbook at the first national conference on Neuro-nutrition in Bengaluru held on April 25. It provides a guidance on the different kinds of nourishment the brain needs from pregnancy, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adults and ageing population.
 
A panel of experts came to the conclusion that it was high time the public health system globally and in India emphasised on the right eating habits and appropriate nutrition programmes for children and adolescents to maintain their optimal health. This should motivate healthcare providers to set nutrition protocols with qualified teams of medical and nursing teams.
 
IAPEN highlighted that focus on brain nutrition was of considerable importance globally and India needed to catch up. Optimal nutritional therapy seen to improve the neuro, trauma, neurosurgery and critical care patients. But there existed a missing link between physicians and nutritionists in neuro care centres across the country.
 
Nutritional development programmes targeting the vulnerable populations and its effective implementation will go a long way in preventing the risk factors and to improve the overall nutrition, stated the experts.

 The guidelines by IAPEN is for practicing clinical dieticians and nutritionists to provide the right direction for various brain disorders including those having accident trauma. Poor nutritional status among children indicate less energy for learning and impacts their cognitive development too. Neuro nutrition is vital for healthy aging. Mediterranean diet, anti inflammatory foods rich in antioxidants which include fruits vegetables, fish, omega 3, poly unsaturated fatty acids, iron, zinc, copper and numerous foods prevent neuro degeneration and neurological dysfunction.
 
Appropriate nutritional support for the critically ill helps in restoring the health of the patient. It plays and adjunctive role in the treatment process, prevents weight loss and reduces the duration of hospital stay, highlights the IAPEN guidelines.

The medical teams in hospitals are advised to undertake screening and assessment tools on the in-patient’s energy needs. The objective of nutritional therapy is to promote wound healing, prevent infection, pressure sores, preserve lean body mass, maintain hydration, stated the guidance.