Omega-3 Is Best for Brain Health

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids are Proven to Stimulate Memory and the Ability to Learn. You'll Discover the Many Wonders of What Omega-3 Can Do to Your Brain and Body.

Eating oily fish such as sardines, mackerel, salmon, herring etc. provides our body with essential Omega 3 fatty acids. A high level of Omega 3 in our body can boost learning abilities and help prevent memory loss.

Here's how it works:

Majority of the brain is made up of "good" fats knows as fatty acids, and the majority of this "good" fat is Omega-3. So, within the brain are neurons (cells which transmit messages throughout the brain and to other parts of the body). The membrane (or wall) around these neurons is made up of "good" fat. In order for the neurons to communicate properly, these membranes need to be flexible to allow vital molecules to pass through.

By adding Omega 3 to your diet, you can restore the flexible nature of the cell membranes to the neurons in your brain, resulting in increased cell communication and brain function.

Studies have shown that diets rich in Omega-3 can result in increased learning ability, problem-solving skills, focus, memory, and communication between cells. Omega-3 has also been shown to help promote a positive mood and emotional balance, and can help people maintain healthy mental ability as they age.

Want to know more? Make sure you're seated comfortably because you'll be glued for sure. Ready? Read on!

Omega 3 is The Pillar of Brain Health 

Let's get to know Omega 3...

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids. They are a family of unsaturated fatty acids which are derived from natural fats and oils and play an important role in brain function as well as normal growth and development but it can't be manufactured by the body. For this reason, omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained from food.

There are three major types of omega 3 fatty acids that are ingested in foods and used by the body:

1. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA),
2. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and
3. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Once eaten, the body converts ALA to EPA and DHA, the two types of omega-3 fatty acids more readily used by the body. The most widely available source of EPA and DHA is cold water oily fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines. Oils from these fish have a profile of around seven times as much Omega-3 as Omega-6.

There are other sources of Omega 3 aside from oily fishes. They are Chia, Kiwifruit, Perilla, Flaxseed, Lingonberry, Camelina, Purslane, Black Raspberry, Butternuts, Hempseed, Walnuts, Pecan and Hazel nuts. It's also present in eggs, meat, milk and cheese but oily fishes contains a high amount of Omega 3 needed by the body.

There's a reason why fish is known as brain food. It is a rich source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a fatty acid that is found in high concentration in the gray matter of the brain. DHA is important in the function of brain cell membranes, which are important for the transmission of brain signals. By making cell membranes more flexible, omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, improve communication between the brain cells. Lack of omega-3 in the body can cause a communication breakdown in the brain.

Unfortunately, the average diet doesn't usually contain the right balance of these fatty acids. If you eat a typical modern diet, you probably get plenty of omega-6 through corn, soybean, and other oils in processed food. But omega-3 oils, which are just as important, are often missing.

These essential fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to be particularly important for cognitive (brain memory and performance) and behavioral function.

How Omega 3 Improves Brain Function Part 1 

The two videos whould give you a clear illustration on how omega 3 works in the brain. Here's part 1 of the video.
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How Omega 3 Improves Brain Function Part 2 

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May I Have Your Attention Please!

Your mental abilities depends on nutrition too. If you supply your brain with the right food especially those rich in Omega-3, it will also supply you with endless thoughts and function. Don't forget to give your brain the proper care the way you do for your body. Remember that the brain is the body's HQ so, If you have a healthy brain, you'll have a healthy body.

Simple Mental Exercise for A Better Brain 

Word puzzlers, card games, mind twisters. What's your favorite brain exercise that keeps those neurons firing away?

Our brains are continuously taking in countless bits of information as we develop lifetime skills. This burst of learning is like the Brain Olympics and the human brain can continue to grow and improve with exercise.

Playing games that allows you to concentrate and think deeper is one good exercise.

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Brain Teasers for You! 

Mind Quiz Your Brain Coach

Release Date: 03/13/2007

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Brain Quest DVD Game

Release Date: 06/12/2006

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Brain Challenge

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ATTENTION Pregnant Moms!

The last trimester of pregnancy is focused on the developing brain of your baby. At this time, it will double in size so it's important for you to eat as much foods rich in Omega-3 as you can. It's important for your baby's sharp intelligent mind. And it's essential to your body as well.

Pregnant Women Need Omega 3 For Their Baby's Developing Brain 

Researchers found that infants born to mothers with higher blood levels of the omega-3 fatty acid (DHA) at delivery had advanced levels of attention spans. During the first six months of life, these infants are two months ahead of those babies whose mothers had lower DHA levels.

DHA is important for the developing brain, which uses large amounts of it during the first two years of life. Compared to the rest of the body, the brain and nervous system contains very high levels of DHA.
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Omega-3 is Still Needed After Birth 

During pregnancy, omega-3 fatty acids are delivered from the mother's blood to the developing fetus by way of the placenta. They are important for the development of the brain and retina membranes of the fetus.

Omega-3 fatty acids continue to be essential to the infant's brain development after birth. It can also be found in the mother's breast milk and studies show that breastfed infants have been found to be more intelligent than formula-fed infants and they achieve higher academic levels in adult life.
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Healthy Recipes For Pregnant Moms 

Better Food for Pregnancy: Nutrition Guide Plus Over 125 Recipes for Healthy Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

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Proven Results of what Good Improvements Fish Oil Could Give to Children 

The brain needs omega-3, found in oily fish, to work properly and with increased intake of Omega-3, children will achieve better intellectual capacity, vision and skills. Fish oil helps concentration, memory and language skills, as well as to lower impulsivity and distractibility.

If your children doesn't like eating fish, you can substitute Omega-3 supplements for them to take. It gives them as much Omega-3 in their body as oily fishes would give.
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Omega 3 Supplements for Children 

Lil Critters Omega-3 Gummy Fish for Children - 60 ea

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Garden of Life Oceans 3 - Omega 3 for kids- Box

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KidMega, 600 mg 100 Softgels

Amazon Price: $5.95 (as of 12/06/2009) Buy Now

"Men needs Omega 3 too!
Get to know why it's very important for men to take Omega 3 supplements..."

Why is Omega 3 Important for Men? 

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Other Health Benefits of Omega 3 

1. It's proven to improve heart health by reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease

2. Improves mood.

3. Reduces rsk of developing alzheimer's disease because it protects the nervous system.

4. Reduces allergies, symptoms of hay fever, sinus infections, asthma, certain food allergies and allergic skin conditions like hives and eczema.

5. Reduces arthritis.

6. Lowers the risk of developing age related macular degeneration, an increasing common eye disease in people over 50.

7. Reduces PMS symptoms in women by controlling contractions of the uterus which causes cramping.

8. Improves skin and hair. It protects the skin against damage from UV exposure, and skin disorders such as psoriasis.

9. Lowers the risk of cancer especially that of breast and prostate cancer.

Useful Books on Omega-3 

The Omega Diet: The Lifesaving Nutritional Program Based on the Diet of the Island of Crete

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Beneficial Effects of Fish Oil on Human Brain

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The Omega Rx Zone: The Miracle of the New High-Dose Fish Oil

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Easy-to-do Recipe that's Rich in Omega 3 

Get your tastebuds ready for some healthy Omega 3 rich recipes

Baked Salmon with Basil Walnut Pesto

Salmon and Walnuts - two of the best dietary sources of Omega-3's - come together in a scrumptiously simple dish.

Serves 5

1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 small garlic clove, sliced
1/3 cup toasted walnuts
3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
16 oz. salmon fillet, with or without skin
1 large tomato
salt and pepper to taste

To prepare the pesto, combine the basil, salt, garlic, nuts and olive oil in a food processor and process until smooth. Add more olive oil or a tablespoon of water if the mixture is too thick. Adjust salt to taste. Set aside.

To prepare the salmon, preheat oven to 450°. Measure a piece of aluminum foil to more than twice the length of the fish. Lightly oil the foil and place fish on the foil. Spread pesto over fish and top with sliced tomatoes. Lightly season with salt and pepper.

Bring foil together over the fish and fold at least two times to seal well on top and along the sides. Place the salmon package on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Cool slightly before opening; serve.

Nutrition facts/serving (134g): Servings = 5
Calories: 255, calories from fat: 166, total fat: 21g, saturated fat: 2g, cholesterol: 49 mg, sodium: 166mg, total carbohydrates: 2g, fiber: 1g, sugar: 0g, protein: 19g. Vitamin A: 12%, vitamin C: 9%, calcium: 3%, iron: 7%

Books on Dishes Rich in Omega 3 that You'll Surely Love! 

The Top 100 Omega-3 Recipes: Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease*Keep Your Brain Active and Agile

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Omega 3 Cuisine

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The Omega 3 Cookbook: Over 100 Smart Recipes For Body And Brain

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