Interesting Publications

Do 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.

A team of British scientists, however, reported recently getting incredible results with a group of children with ADD, ADHD and dyslexia. After putting the children a fish oil supplementation program for just six months, the children's spelling score was six months higher and their reading skills were a year higher than their peers.

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.

Research shows that adults who suffer from migraines, bipolar disorder and depression often have omega 3 DHA and EPA deficiencies from not eating enough fish on a regular basis. These same people are then effectively treated and find relief when they start eating more fish and taking fish oil supplements.

Five million Americans now suffer from Alzheimer's disease and the number will greatly increase as the baby boomer generation begins to age over the next twenty years. But fish oil can be a big help. Research shows that people who eat the most fish and have the highest DHA fatty acid levels reduce 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%.

Eating fish, by the way, is just as good for your heart as it is for your brain. Studies show that including fish in your diet on a regular basis (two or three times a week) can prevent heart palpitations (arrhythmia), lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

Fish also lowers risk of sudden cardiac death, which is the #1 killer in the States, by almost half (45%). Those are pretty good results, wouldn't you agree? That's why the American Heart Association recommends that healthy people eat fatty fish such as salmon at least twice a week.

So listen to Grandma's advice and get all of the omega 3 benefits that are available. Start eating more fish like salmon, herring and tuna and taking fish oil supplements. It's good for your brain and your heart.