Fatty Acids Are Health Food For The Brain

I’m sure by now you’ve heard the news not all fat is bad.  There are some “good” fats that are essential to good health, which of course is why you should eat them!  Here are some of those needed fatty acids…

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)

DHA and EPA are the most plentiful fatty acids found in the brain. They’re essential to memory, and it’s been found people with Alzheimer’s have low blood levels of these essential fatty acids.

An omega-3 fatty acid, DHA is found in cold water fish such as mackererl, sardines, salmon and herring. Egg yolks are another source of DHA.

Foods such as walnuts, leafy green vegetables and flaxseed contain alpha-linolenic acid, another omega-3 fatty acid. It can be converted by the body to the brain’s needed DHA and EPA.

GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) — Omega-6 Fatty Acids for Brain Food

You need GLA to form healthy brain-cell membranes, which is the part of the cell that stores information. These omega-6 fatty acids are found in vegetable oils such as safflower, sunflower and corn oil. Flaxseed or flaxseed oil is another good source.

So for some easy health food for your brain, eat fish, walnuts, flaxseed, eggs, good vegetable oils and leafy green vegetables.  (Those oils could be used in your salad dressing, for instance!)

This is one case where fat is your friend!