Several studies continue to prove that omega-3 fatty acids are essential for overall health. In fact, omega-3 deficiency has been identified as the sixth greatest killer in America. Nonetheless, the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids on brain health have been slightly underrated—until now!

Brain Benefit #1: Prevent and reverse degenerative conditions

One study observed 485 elderly participants suffering from dementia for 24 weeks. Those researchers discovered that participants’ memory improved significantly after taking 900 milligrams of the omega-3 fatty acid, DHA, each day for those 24 weeks.

Brain Benefit #2: Enhance learning and verbal fluency

Another study tested participants in the areas of memorisation, rate of learning, and verbal fluency. Memory and rate of learning increased after taking 800 milligrams of DHA with 12 milligrams of lutein per day for four months. Verbal fluency was also enhanced with just taking 800 milligrams of DHA per day for four months.

Brain Benefit #3: Support memory in utero and childhood

Omega-3 is important for brain health during in utero and childhood development. DHA has shown to activate specific areas of the brain involved in working memory and motor control among 8 to 10-year-old boys.

Brain Benefit #4: Turn off inflammation and heal injury

In high doses, omega-3 is capable of stopping the brain inflammation that often follows an injury to the brain. This suggests that omega-3 can also be helpful in slowing age-related brain damage.

Brain Benefit #5: Increase brain volume

Researchers learned that older women with the highest levels of omega-3 fats also experienced better preservation of their brains as they aged, which may also indicate better brain function. In addition, women with high omega-3 levels in their red blood cells had larger brain volumes, including the hippocampus, a brain structure involved in memory formation. Indeed, omega-3 offers you a rich supply of brain benefits as well as other benefits. You can ‘Ask a Naturopath’ at Mr Vitamins to learn more about these benefits.