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How Healthy Omega3 Fats Boost Brain Health

omega3-for-brain-health

Great Health Starts in the Brain

As stress accumulates over time, it is a priority to stay vital, productive, relaxed, and healthy. Luckily, nature has a solution! By focusing on nutrient-dense foods and high quality natural supplementation you can arm your brain and body with the targeted nutrients it needs to stay optimized. 

 

Great health starts in the brain; your brains help to control memory, mood, sleep quality, hunger and fullness signals, and more. It is imperative to consume foods and take specific supplements to boost brain health.

Did you know that the brain is nearly 60% fat?

The brain loves healthy fat, specifically, omega-3 fatty acids! Omega-3s make up one quarter of all brain fat, and our trillions of cell membranes are constructed using omega-3s as well. Did you also know that your body cannot make omega-3s and that you must consume them in your diet? 

 

Omega-3 fats are found in foods like cold-water fish, chia seeds, flaxseeds, green leafy vegetables, seaweed, avocados, and walnuts but due to changes in food processing in recent years 90% of Americans are still deficient in these vital fats! Note that the forms of omega-3 found in seafood, DHA and EPA, are more readily available and usable by the body than the plant form of omega-3, ALA, depending on your unique genetics. 

 

Interestingly, the meat of animals who grazed on grass is higher in omega-3s than the meat from animals fed grain products; thus, due to the growth of factory farming we are receiving less omega-3s through any animal products we consume as well. Have you noticed the popularity of grass-fed, organic meats in health food stores and farmers markets? Grass-fed animal products are higher in omega-3s and lower in omega-6 fats, making them more beneficial for brain and health, and less inflammatory in general.

Getting the Right Ratio of Fatty Acids

Like omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids, but are slightly different in biochemical structure. Omega-6 fatty acids are also essential and are used for energy, but they can be inflammatory in the body, especially if consumed in excess. Recommendations about the ideal ratio between omega-6 to omega-3 fats around one-to-one but in the United States the actual ratio is twenty-five-to-one! 

 

The Western diet contains far more omega-6 fatty acids than necessary; too many omega-6-rich vegetable oils and trans fats may set the stage for depression, heart disease, and other inflammatory conditions. Bringing more omega-3 fats into your diet and supplement routine can help ensure a healthy brain, heart, and protection from many chronic illnesses.

Get the Blood Flowing to Your Brain

New research shows that the main omega-3s in fish oil, EPA and DHA, are important for healthy blood flow to the brain, memory, and overall cognition making them an important supplement for mental health and stress management. High intake of EPA and DHA help decrease inflammation and prevent cell damage, which may help prevent degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. 

 

Studies show that people who regularly consume omega-3s are less likely to be depressed; further, when people who have depression and anxiety start taking omega-3 supplements studies show that their symptoms improve! (12) EPA seems to be the best type of omega-3 at fighting mood disorders, which is found in fish oil (but not plant-based forms of omega-3s). 

Omegas, Not Just for the Brain

Omega-3s may support heart health, as several studies have shown that omega-3 consumption is inversely linked with heart disease. Omega-3s may increase levels of “good” HDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides, ease inflammation, reduce arterial plaque, and more. (3) These fats appear to help the heart beat in a regular rhythm and not develop an erratic rhythm which is a major cause of heart-related death in the United States. (4) Omega-3s may also lower blood pressure slightly, which lowers risk of cardiometabolic events. 

 

A 2012 review of scientific literature found that EPA and DHA may also be moderately helpful in relieving symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. In the study, participants reported that when they took the fish oil they had less morning stiffness, joint swelling and pain, and need for anti-inflammatory drugs to control symptoms. A study published in Circulation Research found that fish oil supplements reduced inflammation by increasing anti-inflammatory molecules in the blood for up to 24 hours after ingestion. These molecules activate macrophages, cells that destroy bacteria and eliminate dead cells. 

Start Supplementing with Omega 3s

Our providers love Inwell Biosciences Omega. It contains a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acid fish oil in triglyceride form sourced from cold-water fish to support heart, brain, skin, bone, and eye health.

What sets Inwell Biosciences Omega supplement apart?

  • Highly absorbable rTG form of Omega 3 fatty acids
  • Easily digestible; no “fish burps” bite into one and taste the difference
  • 1,000 mg of EPA and DHA per 1 softgel – 3x more potent than most retail fish oil products
  • Tested to surpass all FDA requirements for contaminants including mercury
  • Value pricing to make it easy to take your fish oil everyday, for the whole family

Not quite feeling yourself? Your brain chemistry might be making you feel bad. Our BrainRx Program can help! Learn more.

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