Do you know the neuroprotective effect of omega 3? With these fatty acids we improve our cognitive functions, prevent depression and protect the 400s and inflammatory processes. Knowledge is important because sometimes we don’t realize that our modern diet is becoming poorer in these types of essential nutrients.
What is certainly interesting to know, for starters, is that almost 8% of our brain is composed of this type of decosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which plays vital functions in our neural structures, while omega 3 has also been shown to be essential for the ideal development of the fetus. Maintaining a diet rich in this organic compound during pregnancy is very often linked to intelligence and good cognitive performance.
- An omega 3 deficiency during fetal development is associated with poor brain maturation and neurocognitive dysfunction.
The fact that our brain needs this type of polyunsaturated fatty acid is no coincidence. Do we know, for example, that the biggest? Jump ?, the evolutionary evolution of the development of our brain occurred 200,000 years ago, it was at this time that, as evidences in many deposits show, our ancestors began to live around the rivers or to seek proximity to the sea to fish. in fish, crustaceans and amphibians has given us more energy and better nutrients to further optimize brain development.
Experts also say omega 3 is a key nutrient that should be present in our diet – from cradle to coffin. In addition, our grandmothers, preserving the popular wisdom that characterizes them so much, do not hesitate to repeat several times something like “we must eat more fish”. And no, they’re not wrong. However, there is a small fact that our dear grandmothers may not know.
Today our seas have higher levels of pollution every day. This fact causes many fatty fish, which are in principle so healthy, to contain excess mercury and dioxins. However, the good news is that omega 3s are present in many other foods, such as seeds, oilseeds, vegetables. The increased consumption of this type of food will make our brain thank you very much!
Studies conducted to date on the impact of omega-3s on our brains could not be more positive, it has been discovered in the laboratory, for example, that mice receiving omega 3 supplements have greater brain plasticity, higher levels of synapses between nerve cells and better connectivity At the same time, we have interesting articles in which this type of fatty acid has been shown to reduce depressive symptoms and the loss of Memory.
Until now, this nutrient was mainly known to be a protector of cardiovascular health, which has resulted in an impressive increase in the supply of all kinds of food supplements with the promise that, thanks to them, we will avoid ischemic heart disease, for example. However, nutritionists warn that it is ideal to always choose a correct diet, i. e. “natural”.
Following this recommendation offers a number of advantages. Below are some of them.
Having a healthy and agile brain, with a good memory capacity and always receptive to learning depends on many factors, it is not enough to learn languages, play an instrument or increase the number of books that we read per month, factors such as good stress management and significant and rewarding social relationships are also points in our favor.
If we take care of these aspects, one would still be missing: the food, our modern life and the type of culture in which the vegetables, fruits and oils we buy in supermarkets are not always as healthy as we would like. well requires effort, goodwill and a little wisdom.
It is not enough, for example, to supplement our omega 3 deficiency with pharmaceutical supplements, it is ideal to use food and, if they come from organic crops, even better.
Now let’s look at some examples of the options we have to achieve the neuroprotective effect of omega 3:
In conclusion, we should not forget that good brain health, good memory and good mood not only depend on our attitudes or our mind, they also depend on how we take care of ourselves and our diet, so we will invest a little more in ourselves to improve health and well-being, taking advantage, for example, of the neuroprotective effect of omega 3.