Omegas for Brain Health
After what we’ve been through, just about everyone could use a brain boost right now. Kids have undergone a year or more of disrupted schooling, and many of them have fallen behind. Adults are experiencing pandemic-induced brain fog.[1] And seniors who’ve been especially diligent about staying home are experiencing the effects of loneliness on the brain.[2] It’s a lot. Thankfully, there’s omega-3 fatty acids.
Ever heard that fish is brain food? Well, it’s true. There’s ample evidence that fish, which is full of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, is good for your brain.* So is the omega-rich algae those same fish eat.* That’s where the fish get their omega-3s, after all.
So, if you want your brain operating in high gear — and who doesn’t? — it’s important to get enough omega-3s.
Omegas-3s and Kids’ Brain Health
Consider these impressive study results for babies, school-age children, and teens:
- Research shows that when pregnant women eat fish during pregnancy, their kids have better verbal skills at age five.*[3] Eating fish while preggers is also linked to social, communication, and fine motor skills in kids from six months to eight years old.*[4]
- A study of boys aged 8-14 found an EPA/DHA supplement helped them pay attention and focus.*[5]
- EPA and DHA have also been shown to improve adolescents’ processing speed on tests of cognition and attention.*[6]
Omegas-3s and Adults’ Brain Health
Grownups’ scattered brains benefit from omega-3, too.
- One study found that middle aged and senior volunteers who had higher levels of omega-3s in their systems did better on cognitive tests. And they were faster, too.*[7]
- Another study found folks with more omega-3s had better blood flow in areas of their brains linked to memory and cognition, which could explain how omega-3s boost your brain power.*[8]
Feed Your Brain
So what’s the best way to get your omega-3s?
Fish? You can eat fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, but not everyone is a fan of fish. Plus, eating more than 12 ounces of fish a week isn’t recommended for pregnant women because of concerns about mercury, which can affect babies’ brain development.[9]
Fish oil? Fish oil is great if you eat fish. But if you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or simply a planetary-minded person, it’s a no-go.
Seaweed? Unlike most plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, seaweed contains omega-3 as EPA and DHA, just like fish. Most people aren’t munching on the stuff daily, though.
Algae oil? Getting closer! One study found that algal oil raises volunteers’ DHA levels even more than fish oil.*[10] But most algae omega-3 products only provide DHA, and not its partner in crime, EPA.
Omega Brain+? Now we’re talking. Flora’s Omega Brain+ is a true vegan replacement for fish oil. It features 500 mg of vegan EPA and DHA from algae in each two-capsule serving. Because Omega Brain+ is made from tank-grown algae, it’s pure, clean, toxin-free, and standardized for consistency. Omega Brain+:
- Is safe for kids 9+ and pregnant women
- Supports healthy neural and vision development in babies when taken during pregnancy and while breastfeeding*
- Promotes healthy brain function*
- Has bonus benefits of supporting healthy triglyceride levels and cardiovascular health*
- Is gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan
Right now, Omega Brain+ is 15% off. Just use the code brain15 at checkout. Offer valid through September 6, 2021.
References