Food for Thought: We Really are What We Eat
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Food for thought -- we really are what we eat.
“Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.” “The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well.” Hippocrates http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/248774.Hippocrates A recent issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association (AHA) features a report by Finnish researchers at the University of Eastern Finland that associates higher omega-3 fatty acids with healthier brains.... "Thus, DHA may truly be most relevant for brain health...." "Few studies have investigated the relations of circulating omega-3 PUFAs with MRI findings, but the cross-sectional analyses in the Framingham Study and the Oregon Brain Aging Study and the prospective analyses in the Three-City Study support the beneficial associations of long-chain omega-3 PUFAs with subclinical brain abnormalities..." Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley Blackwell. Accepted September 10, 2013 http://jaha.ahajournals.org/content/2/5/e000305.full Studies in the UK suggest that ADHD may actually be a sign of essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency: http://www.wddty.com/what-causes-adhd.html Indications from Australia..."DHA omega-3 linked to improved literacy for ADHD children": Increased levels of the omega-3 DHA may be associated with improved literacy in children with learning difficulties, according to a new study from Australia...". By Stephen Daniells, 23-May-2012 http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/DHA-omega-3-linked-to-improved-literacy-for-ADHD-children-Study And, here in the US: "....The latest research shows that the most promising health effects of essential fatty acids are achieved through a proper balance between omega-3s and omega-6s. The ratio to shoot for, experts say, is roughly 4 parts omega-3s to 1 part omega-6s. But most of us, they say, come up dangerously short. "The typical American diet has ratio of around 1 part omega-3's to 20 parts omega-6's and that spells trouble," .....says Sandon, an assistant professor of nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. "While reducing your intake of omega-6s can help, getting more omega-3s from food is an even better way to go." Good Fat, Bad Fat: the facts about Omega-3 http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/good-fat-bad-fat-facts-about-omega-3 "Study found women who ate the most omega-3s had greater brain volume....." "....Our findings support the idea that a higher omega-3 status from fish or supplements is good for brain health," .....said study author James Pottala, an assistant professor in the department of internal medicine at the University of South Dakota's Sanford School of Medicine." WebMD News from HealthDay January, 2014 published in journal Neurology http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20140122/fish-oil-might-guard-against-loss-of-brain-cells How do we know, if we're omega-3 deficient? If our doctor does not yet provide this important test we can buy a home test kit used in conjunction with a reputable blood lab; here are two sources to check out: https://www.zonediet.com/product/omega-3-fish-oil/cellular-inflammation/ http://www.lef.org/Vitamins-Supplements/ItemLCOMEGA/Omega-Score-Blood-Test.html "The recommended omega-3 dose will depend on how much you already get from food and why you are taking it. There are three kinds of omega-3 fatty acids: ALA, DHA, and EPA. A daily intake of 2 grams of ALA is often recommended as part of a healthy diet. The American Heart Association recommends taking 1 to 4 grams of DHA and EPA daily. http://heart-disease.emedtv.com/omega-3/omega-3-dose.html Know your efas (essential fatty acids): "....A sometimes confusing array of abbreviations and names are used for the various essential fatty acids and related terms. The following is a quick guide to the omega-6 and omega-3 families of fatty acids:" Omega-3 family Linolenic acid (properly known as alpha-linolenic acid) LNA or ALA Food Eicosapentaenoic acid EPA LNA/ALA Docosahexaenoic acid DHA EPA Omega-6 family Linoleic acid LA Food Gamma-linoleic acid GLA LA Dihomogamma-linoleic acid DGLA GLA Arachidonic acid AA DGLA Docosapentaenoic acid DPA AA Essential fatty acids -- know your efas http://www.wddty.com/essential-fatty-acids-know-your-efas.html Scientific research on ADHD diets is still limited, and some results may be confusing.... but here's what many health experts believe today: ".....diet may play a role in relieving ADHD symptoms. ADHD expert Richard Sogn, MD, points out that whatever is good for the brain is likely to be good for ADHD." "Brain researcher and ADHD expert Daniel Amen, MD, recommends several ADHD diet suggestions, including: Eat more omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in tuna, salmon, other cold-water white fish, walnuts, Brazil nuts, and olive oil. Omega-3 fatty acids are also available in supplement form." http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-diets "The more omega-3s we can get to the brain, the better it will function and the better kids will be able to focus." "These years are critical for brain development, and what they eat affects focus and cognitive skills," psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD, coauthor of The Happiness Diet, says. Food is one of many factors that affect a child's brain development. The following 10 foods can help kids stay sharp all day long, and affect brain development well into the future..." http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/features/brain-foods-kids "Your entire body needs the right nutrients to keep it healthy, and your brain is no exception. Your brain benefits from a variety of nutrients, including fats, proteins, vitamins, and sugars, to help keep it sharp, offer protection against cell damage, and help it function properly. What’s more, the right foods also can provide the perfect fuel to improve memory." Get a Memory Boost from Food By Diana Rodriguez Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH, posted 12/29/2013 http://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-living/food-and-your-memory.aspx?pos=1&xid=nl_EverydayHealthHealthyLiving_20131229 "Our brains are affected by what we eat much more so than you probably imagine." Brain Foods July 24, 2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LW81nHSbSA&feature=player_embedded (3 minutes) |
