Fish oil is not only good for the heart and for our overall health, this is
also good for our brain. Fish oil comes from fatty fish like salmon,
mackerel, herring, sardines and anchovies. It contains Omega-3 fatty acid
docosahexaenoic acid or DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA. These kind
of Omega-3 fatty acids cannot be produced by the body so it is important to
take in food that contain these kinds of nutrients.
Fish oil is said to improve brain development and memory. DHA plays a
major role in the structure and development of the brain. It is also
important in developing vision. Pregnant women’s diet should constitute
fish oil since DHA is important for the baby to develop their brain.
According to the research by the University of Western Australia, expectant
mothers who include DHA in their diet are said to give birth to babies with
better eye and hand coordination and less risk of giving birth prematurely.
Their children are also better speakers and could understand more at the
age of two and a half. Although, if you are pregnant and would like to take
fish oil supplement, it is better check with your doctor first. Fish oil
is also said to result into bleeding as a side-effect.
Research and studies showed that adding fish oil to your diet could also
reduce possibility and risks of mental and psychological disorders like
depressive orders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), bipolar
disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Actually, according to a study by Aberdeen University they identified that
fish oil can actually increase IQ scores and can even slow the ageing
process. According to a Swedish study published in the Archives of
Neurology, patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer were given 1.7 grams of
DHA and .6 grams of EPA. They showed less cognitive decline in six months.
As mentioned, fish oil is recommended for children who have ADHD. There
are studies showing that the lack polyunsaturated fatty acids can
contribute to this disorder. This can also be the reason behind dyslexia.
There were studies conducted among children, they were given fish oil
supplements for the period of three months. These children showed
significant improvements in behaviour, reading and spelling. They were
also able to focus and concentrate more.
There were studies that showed that Omega-3 fatty acids had the same
effects as Prozac which is a known anti-depressant. Studies showed that
countries with high fish consumption have lower rates of depression. Aside
from that, pregnant women and those who have just given birth who include
fish in their diet regularly have lower risk of experiencing postpartum
depression.
If you have decided to take fish oil supplements to address these mental
problems for yourself or for your kids or relatives, then it would be best
to consult a doctor first. You would have to know how much you are going
to take. Just like any vitamins or anything, when taken in excess it can
have bad effects.
Too much of fish oil supplement can also cause some serious problems like
oxidative stress. Some doctors would recommend taking Vitamin C along with
the fish oil supplement. This would actually balance the nutrients that
you are getting.
Fish oil has amazing effects on our health and body, we just have to
remember to keep it balanced with a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle.
