Entries tagged with: Dha
The Science
Very low n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status in Austrian vegetarians and vegans.
Very low n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status in Austrian vegetarians and vegans.
The Science
DHA status of vegetarians
DHA status of vegetarians
The Science
Restriction of meat, fish, and poultry in omnivores improves mood: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Restriction of meat, fish, and poultry in omnivores improves mood: A pilot randomized controlled trial
The Science
Fatty acid composition in the mature milk of Bolivian forager-horticulturalists: controlled comparisons with a US sample
Fatty acid composition in the mature milk of Bolivian forager-horticulturalists: controlled comparisons with a US sample
Breastfeeding is known to provide many benefits to infants. Breast milk is a nutritional powerhouse with an array of omega-3 fats needed for brain building and development, immune boosting molecules, and everything for a healthy happy baby. However, because breast milk is composed by the nutrients that the mother’s eats, its quality is determined by maternal diet. This recent study compared one of the most important fatty acids for infant brain development, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, and found that mothers living Amazonia Bolivia, who eat wild game and freshwater fish and almost no processed foods, provided their infants with milk that is significantly higher in those important omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA compared to mothers on a processed foods diet in the United States. This study has serious implications for infant formulas and the researchers suggest that formulas based on breast milk analysis from mothers eating a modern diet are possibly lower in omega-3s that ideal. Read the abstract →
Blog
ADHD and Diet in Kids (WLNY Follow Up)
ADHD and Diet in Kids (WLNY Follow Up)
Does food contribute to Attention Deficient/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? I had a great time again with the crew of Live from the Couch on WLNY CBS TV this morning. I wanted to post some of the references for those interested and to recap the information. Read the Post →
The Science
Effect of Randomized Supplementation with High Dose Olive, Flax or Fish Oil on Serum Phospholipid Fatty Acid Levels in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Effect of Randomized Supplementation with High Dose Olive, Flax or Fish Oil on Serum Phospholipid Fatty Acid Levels in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
If you want to improve omega-3 status should you take flax seed oil or fish oil? The shortest of the omega-3 fats, alpha linolenic acid or ALA found in high concentrations in flax seed can be converted to the longer EPA and DHA, which are the omega-3 forms most studied in brain health. This study investigated adults and followed them for 3 months with groups taking either olive oil (no omega-3s), flax seed (ALA), or fish oil (EPA and DHA) and compared their blood. The researchers conclude that to increase the longer-chained EPA and DHA, it is not enough to take ALA from flax seed. But remember, the right fish – wild salmon, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies to name a few – is also a great choice and loaded with EPA and DHA. Read the abstract →
The Science
Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acids, Cognition, and Behavior in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acids, Cognition, and Behavior in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: a Randomized Controlled Trial
This study investigated the treatment of ADHD symptoms with omega-3 supplements. Thisis a very cool study because 1) they measure blood levels of omega-3s 2) it lasted for along time (4 months) 3) these were very symptomatic kids (90% on the Conner’s ADHD scale and were not medicated. Also the study used very robust amounts of omega-3s and the researchers also investigated whether DHA or EPA was superior. The doses in the groups were: EPA 1109 mg and DHA 108 mg; a DHA-rich fish oil providing EPA 264 mg and DHA 1032 mg; or a safflower oil (control) providing LA 1467 mg/d (omega-6). While the primary outcomes measure did not show significant differences, the blow levels of DHA was correlated with better reading and less oppositional behavior as rated by parents. Not a home run for omega-3s, but certainly something worth investigating if your child has a low intake of omega-3s and attentional/behavioral problems. Read the abstract →
Blog
Mussels Diablo: Cooking with Skinny Chef Jennifer Iserloh
Mussels Diablo: Cooking with Skinny Chef Jennifer Iserloh
A delicious recipe by my friend and the Skinny Chef Jennifer Iserloh after the jump! Read the Post →
Blog
The Brain Food Advantage: No More Lost Keys
The Brain Food Advantage: No More Lost Keys
Middle-aged people with high levels of the beneficial omega-3 fat DHA in their blood did significantly better on memory and reasoning tests in a 2010 study published by The Journal of Nutrition. The most common food sources you can use to boost your DHA is oily fish like salmon and mackerel. Read the Post →
Blog
Musselution! Mussels are the Brain Food to Fight Brain Deterioration
Musselution! Mussels are the Brain Food to Fight Brain Deterioration
Mussels are an almost-perfect brain food because they are packed with two key nutrients -- DHA and vitamin B-12 – that are vital to protecting your brain health and preserving your memory as you age. Read the Post →
The Science
Serum Phospholipid Docosahexaenoic Acid is Associated with Cognitive Functioning During Middle Adulthood
Serum Phospholipid Docosahexaenoic Acid is Associated with Cognitive Functioning During Middle Adulthood
Middle-aged people with high levels of the beneficial omega-3 fat DHA in their blood did significantly better on memory and reasoning tests in a 2010 study published by The Journal of Nutrition. The most common food sources you can use to boost your DHA is oily fish like salmon and mackerel. Read the abstract →
The Science
The Size and Burden of Mental Disorders and Other Disorders of the Brain in Europe 2010
The Size and Burden of Mental Disorders and Other Disorders of the Brain in Europe 2010
This study determined that 40% of the European population suffers from some kind of mental illness. Read the abstract →
The Science
Dietary Intake of N-3 and N-6 Fatty Acids and the Risk of Clinical Depression in Women: a 10-y prospective follow-up study
Dietary Intake of N-3 and N-6 Fatty Acids and the Risk of Clinical Depression in Women: a 10-y prospective follow-up study
I love a Walter Willett study. But this one is bittersweet for me. A victory for omega-3s. Another strike against excess omega-6s. But no noted benefits from fish, one of my top brain foods?! That is hard to digest. Read the abstract →
The Science
Vegetarian Diets are Associated with Healthy Mood States: a Cross-sectional Study in Seventh Day Adventist Adults
Vegetarian Diets are Associated with Healthy Mood States: a Cross-sectional Study in Seventh Day Adventist Adults
Given my opinion that meat, when done right, is brainfood, the title of this study kept me up at night. Maybe I shouldn’t worry too much. This is a small sample of a specialized population: 138 Seventh Day Adventists, just 60 of whom are vegetarian. Read the abstract →
Farmacy
Magnesium
Magnesium
Magnesium is needed in more than 300 crucial chemical reactions required by brain and body. It helps protect your brain from the waste product ammonia, relaxes blood vessels (lowering blood pressure), and defends the body against heart disease and diabetes. More About Magnesium →
Farmacy
DHA — Docosahexaenoic acid
DHA — Docosahexaenoic acid
DHA creates hormones called neuroprotectins and resolvins that combat inflammation in the brain, and is linked to better memory as you age. More About DHA — Docosahexaenoic acid →
Blog
Happy Seventh Day Adventist Vegetarians?
Happy Seventh Day Adventist Vegetarians?
Given my opinion that meat, when done right, is brainfood, a recent study entitled "Vegetarian Diets are Associated with Healthy Mood States: a Cross-sectional Study in Seventh Day Adventist Adults" kept me up at night. Maybe I shouldn’t worry too much. This is a small sample of a specialized population: 138 Seventh Day Adventists, just 60 of whom are vegetarian. Read the Post →
Blog
Brain Food Recipe: Oven-Roasted Cod
Brain Food Recipe: Oven-Roasted Cod
Many people are intimidated by the thought of cooking fish. But oven roasting is a simple way to get it right every time. Cod is a wonderful source of complete protein and is especially high in tryptophan. Studies of this amino acid, the basic ingredient for making serotonin, show that it can help some people ditch the blues or with PMS. Instead of a supplement, cod is nature’s top food source. Offer up your recommended side dishes in the comments. Read the Post →