Fish Oil for the Brain?
The September Zone Net Newsletter talked about a possible connection between the omrga-3 fatty acids in fish oils and brain development:
For most of human history, the function of the brain remained a mystery. Ancient Egyptians, attributing little necessity to the organ, discarded the brain before mummifying a corpse. Many in the ancient world, like Aristotle, believed that the heart was the seat of thought. It was not until the groundbreaking work of anatomist Vesalius in the 1500's that these misconceptions were called into question.
The brain is now understood to be responsible for consciousness and thought.
In relation with the central nervous system, the brain controls autonomic functions in the body, like respiration and heartbeat. It regulates and produces a lot of different hormones, and is responsible for cognitive processes like perception, memories and imagination.
Fetuses and toddlers must get enough Omega-3 oils for optimal brain development. In a study of premature infants, those fed breast milk had eight points higher IQ at age eight than those fed standard infant formula. This possibly means that the higher amounts of DHA in breast milk may contribute to superior intelligence. Doctors also advise soon-to-be moms to integrate Omega-3's into their diet, especially during the last trimester where most crucial brain growth takes place. Studies also show that boys with lower levels of Omega-3 fat have a higher incidence of behavioral problems like hyperactivity, anxiousness and temper tantrums.
It is really quite simple – brain cells need DHA to function at their most optimal levels. If our diets are low in this type of fat and the brain cells do not receive the proper amounts, our brains will suffer. Once supplied with the required amounts, the brain can function much better. Think of the brain’s activity as one big relay race. Thought travels in the form of electrical signals through the brain, getting passed like a baton from one neuron to the next. For a signal to enter a neuron, the signal needs to pass through the walls of the neuron, known as cell membranes. These walls consist entirely of fats andtwenty percent of these are essential fatty acids like Omega-3's. Omega-3's are thought to strengthen our synapses, making it easier for signals to cross the gap between brain cells.
For most of human history, the function of the brain remained a mystery. Ancient Egyptians, attributing little necessity to the organ, discarded the brain before mummifying a corpse. Many in the ancient world, like Aristotle, believed that the heart was the seat of thought. It was not until the groundbreaking work of anatomist Vesalius in the 1500's that these misconceptions were called into question.
The brain is now understood to be responsible for consciousness and thought.
In relation with the central nervous system, the brain controls autonomic functions in the body, like respiration and heartbeat. It regulates and produces a lot of different hormones, and is responsible for cognitive processes like perception, memories and imagination.
Fetuses and toddlers must get enough Omega-3 oils for optimal brain development. In a study of premature infants, those fed breast milk had eight points higher IQ at age eight than those fed standard infant formula. This possibly means that the higher amounts of DHA in breast milk may contribute to superior intelligence. Doctors also advise soon-to-be moms to integrate Omega-3's into their diet, especially during the last trimester where most crucial brain growth takes place. Studies also show that boys with lower levels of Omega-3 fat have a higher incidence of behavioral problems like hyperactivity, anxiousness and temper tantrums.
It is really quite simple – brain cells need DHA to function at their most optimal levels. If our diets are low in this type of fat and the brain cells do not receive the proper amounts, our brains will suffer. Once supplied with the required amounts, the brain can function much better. Think of the brain’s activity as one big relay race. Thought travels in the form of electrical signals through the brain, getting passed like a baton from one neuron to the next. For a signal to enter a neuron, the signal needs to pass through the walls of the neuron, known as cell membranes. These walls consist entirely of fats andtwenty percent of these are essential fatty acids like Omega-3's. Omega-3's are thought to strengthen our synapses, making it easier for signals to cross the gap between brain cells.
posted by Aelusive at 4:35 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home