How Does Omega-3 Fish Oil Affect the Brain?
Fish oil contains two primary types of Omega-3s: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Luckily, you don’t have to learn how to pronounce their full names, as the abbreviations will work just fine. J Omega-3s are considered essential fatty acids because our bodies need them to function optimally, but they do not produce them on their own. That’s why we must consume them through our diet or supplementation. Since most Americans do not eat fish 2-3x per week, we recommend using a high-grade fish oil supplement to get your essential fats. Although Omega-3s have many benefits for the heart, joints, eyes, and immune system, today we’re focusing on the brain. EPA and DHA are essential for normal brain development and function during all stages of life. They seem to play an important role in the developing baby’s brain, and have even been linked to higher intelligence in children whose mother’s ate fish or used fish oil during their pregnancy. Low levels of DHA i...