What Omega-3 Can Do For You…Right NOW!
Most research on omega-3 focuses on heart health benefits. But, new research is showing that eating plenty of fish and great sources of omega-3, or taking omega-3 supplements, can do so much more for you.
The three main forms of omega-3s are Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and (docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Researchers love omega-3 because it helps reduce inflammation and clogged arteries. But research reveals that it can improve how well your brain works…right now!
The form of omega-3 you get from fatty fish, docosahexaenoic acid, better known as DHA, is vital for brain health. DHA is one of the main structural components of brain matter – 30 percent to be exact – and is known for its ability to slow cognitive decline in older adults, as well as its brain-boosting benefits for infants.
But what about young-to-middle-aged adults?
A team of food and nutrition scientists confirmed that taking a 1.16-gram-per-day DHA supplement for six months (equivalent to two or three weekly servings of oily fish) improved memory as well as mental reaction times for all ages.
In women, episodic memory received the biggest boost, with DHA increasing accuracy and the number of pictures or words they could remember. In men, it was the working memory that improved most. Men that received DHA completed the working memory task 20 percent faster than the men.
