Fish is Brain Food

cookingdiet and heart diseaselongevity
Written By Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

Fish is Brain Food

Omega-3s appear to improve the conduction of electrolytes through cellular membranes. A diet low in omega-3s could impair the growth and functioning of neurons.1 The retina of the eye matures rapidly in the first 6 months after birth. A small study that compared the visual acuity of infants fed breast milk (which has DHA) or formula (without DHA) found visual acuity was impaired in those fed the DHA-free formula.2
Another study examined problem-solving ability at 10 months of age in infants fed a standard formula or one supplemented with DHA and arachidonic acid (ARA - an omega-6 PUFA). Even though the PUFA supplemented formulas were fed for just the first 4 months of infancy. At 10 months of age, those infants given the DHA and ARA supplemented formula exhibited significantly greater problem solving ability than those fed the standard formulas. This suggests that infants who do not receive enough DHA and ARA in early infancy may end up with lower IQs.3Omega-3s may not only be essential for the normal development of neurons in babies but may also be needed in adults to help maintain normal brain function. A prospective study of about 5,000 people (55y +) in a suburb of Rotterdam, found that dementia with a vascular component was most strongly associated with a diet high in fat and saturated fat. The consumption of fish was inversely associated with the incidence of dementia, and in particular to Alzheimer?s disease. The results of this study suggest that eating a diet high in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol may increase the risk of senility whereas the consumption of fish may reduce the risk of senility as we grow older.4 Perhaps grandma was right after all, when she said that ?fish is brain food!?1. Farquharson J, Jamieson E, Abbasi K, et al. Effect of diet on the fatty acid composition of the major phopholipids of infant cerebral cortex. Arch Dis Child 1995;72:198-2032. Makrides M, Simmer K, Goggin M, Gibson R. Erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid correlates with the visual response of healthy, term infants. Pediatric Res 1993;33:425-73. Williats P, Forsyth J, DiModugno M, et al. Effect of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in infant formula on problem-solving at 10 months of age. Lancet 1998;352:688-914. Kalmijn S, Launer LJ, Witteman JCM, et al. Dietary fat intake and the risk of incident dementia in the Rotterdam study. Ann Neurol 1997;42:776-82.
Print Friendly and PDF
Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

Judy’s passion for cooking began with helping her grandmother make raisin oatmeal for breakfast. From there, she earned her first food service job at 15, was accepted to the world-famous Culinary Institute of America at 18 (where she graduated second in her class), and went on to the Fachschule Richemont in Switzerland, where she focused on pastry arts and baking. After a decade in food service for Hyatt Hotels, Judy launched Food and Health Communications to focus on flavor and health. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude distinction from Johnson and Wales University with a BS in Culinary Arts, holds a master’s degree in Food Business from the Culinary Institute of America, two art certificates from UC Berkeley Extension, and runs a food photography & motion studio where her love is creating fun recipes and content.

Judy received The Culinary Institute of America’s Pro Chef II certification, the American Culinary Federation Bronze Medal, Gold Medal, and ACF Chef of the Year. Her enthusiasm for eating nutritiously and deliciously leads her to constantly innovate and use the latest nutritional science and Dietary Guidelines to guide her creativity, from putting new twists on fajitas to adapting Italian brownies to include ingredients like toasted nuts and cooked honey. Judy’s publishing company, Food and Health Communications, is dedicated to her vision that everyone can make food that tastes as good as it is for you.

Previous

Fish: Is It Brain Food?
Next

Hypertension Cuts Blood Flow to Brain