Is Your Brain as Fit as Your Body?

 
Can you say Docosahexaenoic Acid quickly three times?  Probably not, but that’s okay as long as your body has plenty of it. 

Docosayexaenoic Acid, or DHA for short, is a type of fat that your body must have to function—particularly your brain.  A fit brain needs DHA.

What is DHA?

To put it simply, your brain cells need this fat to efficiently communicate with each other, and communication is what brain function is all about.

Not only is communication among brain cells the basis for learning and memory, but mood and depression are also impacted by DHA.

Research

DHA is an Omega-3 fatty acid.  In research studies, these fats have created quite a stir.

Here are some of the findings:

• People with higher levels of DHA had their risk of dementia (including Alzheimer’s) cut in half.
• Girls with higher amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids outsmarted girls who had higher amounts of Omega-6 fatty acids.
• Depleted levels of Omega-3’s were found in people with severe depression.
• DHA reduces symptoms of depression and increases gray matter in three areas that tend to be smaller people who have serious depression.
• The more DHA a person has, the more gray matter is found in the brain areas linked to mood:  the amygdala, hippocampus, and cingulate.
• After taking daily Omega 3’s, nearly 22,000 depressed people experienced less depressive symptoms.

Sources of DHA

Your brain can make some DHA, but most of it needs to come from your diet. And if you are experiencing stress, infections, or have had excess sugar, your brain’s ability to make DHA is compromised.

Probably the best source of Omega-3’s (including DHA) is seafood.  Salmon comes in with the highest concentration, followed by sardines, anchovies, tuna, sardines and trout.  Crab, cod, scallops, lobster, tilapia, and shrimp are also good choices.

If incorporating seafood into your diet regularly is difficult, supplementing with fish oil capsules is also suitable.

Life Fuel

Your champion life is about body and mind, and it requires champion fuel.  DHA may be a vital link in your fitness strategy:  if your mood is stable and your thinking clear, you are more likely to make smart decisions about your daily fitness decisions.

I’d love to talk more about this with you.  Join me at facebook page!

To your health,
Ashley Mahaffey