Fish Oil And The Brain

Fish oil is not only good for the heart and our health in general but also for our brain.

Fish oil comes from fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, and anchovies. It contains the Omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid or DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA. These kind of Omega-3 fatty acids cannot be produced by the body so it is important to take in food that contain these kinds of nutrients.

Fish oil is said to improve brain development and memory. DHA plays a major role in the structure and development of the brain. It is also important in developing vision. A pregnant women’s diet should constitute fish oil since DHA is important for the baby to develop their brain.

According to research by the University of Western Australia, expectant mothers who include DHA in their diet are said to give birth to babies with better eye and hand coordination and less risk of giving birth prematurely. Their children are also better speakers and could understand more at the age of two and a half. Although, if you are pregnant and would like to take fish oil supplement, it is better that you check with your doctor first. Fish oil is also said to result into bleeding as a side-effect.

Research and studies showed that adding fish oil, or a fish oil supplement, to your diet could also reduce the possibility and risks of mental and psychological disorders like depressive orders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia.

Actually, according to a study by Aberdeen University, they identified that fish oil can actually increase IQ scores and can even slow the aging process. According to a Swedish study published in the Archives of Neurology, patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's were given 1.7 grams of DHA and .6 grams of EPA. They showed less cognitive decline in six months.

As mentioned, fish oil is recommended for children who have ADHD. Studies show that the lack of polyunsaturated fatty acids can contribute to this disorder. This can also be the reason behind dyslexia. There were studies conducted among children, who were given fish oil supplements for three months. These children showed significant improvements in behavior, reading, and spelling. They were also able to focus and concentrate more.

Some studies showed that Omega-3 fatty acids had the same effects as Prozac which is a known anti-depressant. Studies showed that countries with high fish consumption have lower rates of depression. Aside from that, pregnant women and those who have just given birth and include fish in their diet regularly have a lower risk of experiencing postpartum depression.

If you have decided to take fish oil supplements to address these mental problems for yourself or your kids or relatives, then it would be best to consult a doctor first. You would have to know how much you are going to take. Like any vitamin or other supplement, taken in excess it can have bad effects.

However, too much of a fish oil supplement can also cause some serious problems, such as oxidative stress. Some doctors would recommend taking Vitamin C along with the fish oil supplement. This would balance the nutrients that you are getting.

Fish oil has amazing effects on our health and body, we have to remember to keep it balanced with a healthy diet and, a healthy lifestyle.

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Fish Oil And The Brain
Page Updated October 20, 2024
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