| Scientists have known for years why fish is used for | | | | People, who have been following the research the |
| brain food. The general public seems to think that | | | | past thirty years, will not be surprised at these |
| people eat fish or take supplements for the heart, | | | | results. Their are numerous reasons why the omega |
| eyes or joints. Certainly, the least understood and | | | | 3s in fish are thought of as brain food. One of the |
| maybe the best benefits are for the brain. | | | | more obvious ones is that 25% of our brains are |
| Recently, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition | | | | literally made of omega 3s. |
| published three studies from Norway, New Zealand | | | | Omega 3s are also the major building blocks of every |
| and the Netherlands. All three studies found that | | | | cell membrane in the body. They help control what |
| higher blood levels of the omega 3s found in fish oil | | | | goes in and what comes out. In other words, they |
| were associated with better cognitive development | | | | maintain cell fluidity. If there are too few omega 3s in |
| in adults. | | | | the cell membranes, the body replaces them with |
| Previous studies in other countries have not only | | | | saturated fats instead. |
| documented the brain food fish oil connection in | | | | This clogs up organs all over the body, not just the |
| adults, but also in children. Young children who had | | | | brain. Think of it this way. How well will your car run |
| omega 3 deficiencies in the womb had lower IQs, | | | | if you rarely change the oil? After a while, the car will |
| poorer vision and slower cognitive development. The | | | | not run at all. |
| mothers were more likely to suffer from | | | | The problem is solving the deficiency. The FDA and |
| post-partum depression. | | | | others caution about eating too much seafood |
| Another recent long term study, from The Archives | | | | because of all the ocean toxins they absorb. Farmed |
| of Neurology, looked at adults. It found that elderly | | | | species can be just as bad but for different reasons. |
| people who ate seafood at least once a week did | | | | For most of us, that means taking a good fish oil |
| better on tests of memory and mental acuity, and | | | | supplement. It will give you the nutrients you need |
| had a 10 percent slower decline in mental skills each | | | | without the risk. |
| year. | | | | The science of fish as brain food has long been |
| Dr. John A. Boockvar, an assistant professor of brain | | | | recognized. Your next step is to decide the best way |
| surgery at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, | | | | to incorporate these omega 3s into your diet. |
| stated that "we know it improves brain functioning." | | | | |