Why? Because research is increasingly showing that emotional, mental and psychiatric disorders like depression, bipolar disorder and possibly schizophrenia may more likely be the result of dietary deficiencies than genetic predispositions.

The research also shows that the lack of Omega-3 fatty acids increases memory loss, makes learning new tasks more difficult, increases blue moods and probably promotes the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

The omega-3 fatty acid known as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a fatty acid that is found in high concentration in the gray matter of the brain and is an important ingredient for optimal brain function.

DHA is instrumental in the function of brain cell membranes, which are important for the transmission of brain signals.

By making cell membranes more fluid, omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, improves the communication between the brain cells. Lack of omega-3 in the body can cause a communication breakdown in the brain.

Low levels of DHA have been linked to memory loss, depression, bipolar disorder, attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, autism and general learning difficulties or bad moods.

“If you don’t feed brain cell membranes enough of the right type of fat, the messages can be short-circuited and garbled. That may mean a disturbance in mood, concentration, memory, attention, and behavior,” writes Miracle Cures author Jean Carper.

Depression in particular has been frequently linked to low levels of DHA, since omega-3 fatty acids help regulate mood by increasing levels of serotonin, the hormone that relieves depression.

Additional evidence of the vital importance of ingesting sufficient Omega-3 fatty acids was reported by Dr. Michael A. Schmidt who reports in Smart Fats that, according to data collected in the long-term Framingham Heart Study, adults with low levels of DHA have a greater likelihood of developing dementia in their later years.

Other studies have indicated these adults are twice as likely to develop dementia as those with high levels of DHA. And a 1997 study demonstrated that low DHA blood levels are an important risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

Your body cannot make Omega-3 fatty acids nor can it make Omega 6 which is another essential fatty acid that the body must have to function properly. You can only get these essential fatty acids from food.

Omega-3 fatty acids are the long-chain fatty acids found in fish such as salmon, sardines, and herring. They are also found in flax, walnuts and chia seeds. Unfortunately the western diet does not include an abundance of these foods.

Omega-6, however, is found in abundance in the western diet in such foods as meat, vegetable oils, soy bean oil, vegetable oil based products such as margarine, shortening, and canola oil.

Whereas Omega-3 fatty acids will build brain cells and improve communication between neurons, excess Omega-6 will cause interference in this process and can lead to impairment of the brain and other illnesses.

The ideal balance for good health between Omega-6 to Omega-3 is 1:1 with a tolerable balance of 5:1. The average western diet runs in the unhealthy range of 20:1 6:3 or higher.

To be brain healthy, westerners need to change their eating habits to eat more fish, take pure fish oil supplements, and cutting back on Omega-6 by eliminating refined vegetable oils, canola and soy bean oils from their diets.

DHA Omega-3 remains the most important brain fat throughout life.

It is a proven fact that in aging, the loss of omega-3 fatty acids in the brain may result in a higher risk of stroke, memory problems, or dementia.

Individuals of any age without adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in the brain and body may also be at higher risk for depression, bipolar disorder, and possibly other psychiatric problems.

It is no wonder Omega-3 fatty acid is called essential…especially to your brain health!

To your good heath & longevity.

Ira Marxe
“The Good Health & Wellness Guy”

Copyrighted © 2009 – All Rights Reserved

Omega-3 fats help build the membranes that surround cells in the body and help make hormones that affect blood clotting and inflammation, according to Harvard University doctors.

The fats play very special roles in babies, lining cells and aiding in the development of brain cells and eyes — which is why Omega 3s are in breast milk and being added to some formulas.

Studies show the fish oils are especially good for…the heart, helping prevent deadly rhythm problems and, in high doses, lowering triglycerides — fats circulating in the blood.

“You can take tons and tons of olive oil, and it won’t drop your triglycerides,” said Mays, who is a board-certified lipidologist, or fats expert. “The omega fats really have a medicinal property that is unique.”

The role that the omega-3s plays in heart health is summarized as follows:

• Lowering of blood pressure
• Protecting against sudden cardiac death
• Lowering of blood fat levels (triglycerides)
• Preventing fatal blood clots
• Maintaining blood vessel dilation
• Anti-inflammatory effects such as increasing the plaque stability on artery walls so that they are less likely to rupture
• Improving the vascular endothelial function
• Reducing the risk of hardened arteries
• Improved insulin sensitivity

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States. The great irony is that cardiovascular disease is largely preventable.

There’s a simple, proven and easy way to reduce the chance of you becoming part of these grim statistics, and that is to increase your intake of the healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

The research has continued to pour in from countless sources around the world about the amazing benefits of the omega-3′s. In fact, scientists and medical professionals alike now agree that the omega-3 fats can prevent – and even reverse – the deadly effects of cardiovascular disease and stroke (the first and third leading causes of death, respectively).

Studies have shown that the Omega-3s may prevent heart attacks because it slows the buildup of plaque in the arteries. When your arteries are free of plaque, your blood is able to flow normally, avoiding heart complications.

Patients who do take Omega-3s and who have suffered from heart attacks seem to suffer heart attacks that are less severe than those who are not taking an Omega 3 supplement at all.

According to two new studies from Munich, Germany, long term use of Omega 3 fatty acids reduced the risk of death and incidence of hospitalization for heart related illness in heart failure patients. On the other hand, Crestor, a popular cholesterol medication (statin), showed no beneficial effect on the patients studied.

Dr Gianni Tognoni (Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan) presented the Crestor treatment findings at the conference, which ultimately showed no difference in outcomes between those who received the statin and those who did not, even though LDL cholesterol levels were lowered with the drug.

Dr. Tognoni suggests… “although statin therapy lowers concentrations of LDL cholesterol, is well tolerated, and seems reasonably safe, it does not produce meaningful improvements in survival in patients with chronic heart failure.”

The results are contrary to the current push to provide heart failure patients with statin therapy. 

You do not need to become a victim. Omega 3 fatty acids have repeatedly been shown to have a major beneficial effect on heart health. For a longer healthier life, make sure you include fish or Omega 3 fatty acids soft gel capsules into your diet.

To your good heath & longevity.

Ira Marxe
“The Good Health & Wellness Guy”

Copyrighted © 2009 – All Rights Reserved