Fish Oil As Brain Food
April 30th, 2007Do you know how smart your Grandma was? She didn’t need a scientist to tell her fish was good for your brain.
According to almost daily news reports, scientists are finding that the benefits of consuming fish oil as brain food helps everyone from a fetus to an Alzheimer’s patient.
A baby’s brain is comprised of about 70% omega 3 DHA and EPA. These fatty acids are so essential for a baby’s brain development and emotional well being that leading health authorities such as the National Institutes of Health believe all pregnant and lactating women should take omega 3 supplements on a daily basis - 1200 mg to be exact.
But the average pregnant or nursing mother is only getting approximately 18% of the DHA and EPA that her baby needs for optimum brain development. In fact, only a very small percentage (3%) of these women have diets that meet the NIH recommendation.
For mothers who are not getting omega 3 supplements during pregnancy, this dietary deficiency of DHA and EPA puts both mother and baby at risk. If the fetus isn’t getting what it needs for optimum brain development from the mother’s diet, it takes what it can from the mother’s brain. As a result, many women lose as much as 3% of their brain mass during pregnancy, which researchers think could be a major cause of post-partum blues.
Mom’s choice of foods not only affects her and her baby. It also affects older children in the family as well. For example, many researchers are finding a link between DHA and EPA deficiencies and ADD and ADHD behavior, social and learning problems.
But a British research team recently reported that omega 3 fish oil supplements can significantly reduce ADD, ADHD and dyslexia symptoms. After six months of supplementation, children with behavioral, social and learning difficulties tested six months higher in spelling and a year higher in reading skills than other children.
Eating fatty fish such as wild salmon and taking a daily omega 3 DHA and EPA supplement is not only good for children. It’s also a good idea for adults.
Omega 3 fish oil DHA and EPA deficiencies are linked to increased risk of migraine headaches, depression and bipolar disorder. While on the other hand, natural relief for these conditions has been linked to eating fish on a regular basis or taking fish oil supplements.
There’s also good fish oil news for aging baby boomers who would like to avoid joining the already five million Americans who have Alzheimer’s disease. By eating more fish on a regular basis they can lower their risk of Alzheimer’s by 39% and dementia by 47%.
Here’s food for thought. A Harvard Medical School study of 43,000 men for twelve years found that eating fish just once a month could reduce the risk of “brain attack” or ischemic (blood clot) stroke by an amazing 44%. In comparison, a daily aspirin only reduces the risk of stroke by 21%.
Did you know that eating fish is not only good for your brain? It’s just as good for your heart as well. Research shows that a regular diet of fish (at least 2 or 3 times a week) can greatly reduce your risk of irregular heart beats (arrhythmia), high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Eating fish can also lower your risk of sudden cardiac death, our nation’s number one killer, by nearly half (45%). Don’t you think that’s pretty amazing? The American Heart Association agrees. They recommend that everyone eat fish two or three times a week to protect their heart.
If you want to take advantage of all of the omega 3 benefits for your brain and your heart, listen to Grandma and follow her advice. Eat more fish on a regular basis and take your fish oil supplements. It’s a smart thing to do.
- Michael Byrd
