Omega – 3 For You and Me

Studies that delve on brain health and supplements have come to enlighten us what could be taken in to sharpen our minds. Anything that has something to do with the brain becomes more believable and reliable when backed by research.

A multitude of studies point to Omega – 3 as one of the natural brain supplements. However, not everyone gets to know what Omega – 3 is and what are its sources?

Omega – 3 Sources

What food for the brain could you easily think of? You are right. Fish has long been considered as a “brain food” due to its high Omega – 3 content. Fish caught in the wild tend to have high levels of Omega – 3. Of these, mackerel, herring, sardines, lake trout, and albacore tuna compose the group of fish with high Omega – 3. But you don’t need to go to the wild or cook fish to get the Omega – 3 that your brain needs. There are already other sources of Omega – 3 such as food supplements. They come with less hassle. You might have wondered why Omega – 3 is a brain booster? Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fatty acids. while the brain is made of about 20% of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Forms of Omega – 3

Omega – 3 comes in three forms. The alphalinolenic acid (ALA)is generally found in plants. The eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) are sourced from fish. Among the three, the EPA possesses the huge beneficial properties. Most researchers, however, think that DHA contributes greatly to a healthy brain. In the case of ALA, the body poorly utilizes ALA sources. Barely 5% of ALA is converted into DHA. DHA, as experts say, is crucial for the growth and development of the brain in infants. It is also important for the maintenance of normal brain function among adults.

Mental Health Studies

A study which established the correlation between fish consumption and depression found out that in countries consuming fewer fish, the rates of depression were higher. Another study showed that the lower the level of EPA in the blood, the more severe the clinical depression is. These studies suggest that eating fish and taking Omega-3 supplements may provide beneficial effects on mental health. More studies that delve on the effect of Omega – 3 to mental health will have to be made to lay a solid ground to earlier findings.

Omega – 3 sources come in various forms. You may opt for the naturally occurring sources or brain supplements. Whatever your choice  is would not matter. What is important is you know your way to Omega – 3.