Our cognitive skills are paramount to our everyday life. We can’t think straight, learn anything new, plan every-day tasks or remember anything unless our neurons are functioning optimally and connecting well with other nerve cells. The composition of our diet and the calories we consume are important.
A study conducted by Spencer, Korosi & Lave in 2017, showed that Omega 3 fatty acids can improve brain function. They showed that low dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can lead to an inflammatory response in the body and may contribute to depression and memory loss. They found that consuming fruits and vegetables high in polyphenolics can potentially reverse cognitive deficits by lowering oxidative stress and inflammation. Do you struggle with an inability to think straight, struggle to learn new things or remember the simplest of things? Could it be that those neurons need a workout or an enhanced ability to connect with their fellow neurons more efficiently? Could Omega-3 fatty acids be the key to keeping those neurons healthy?
Source: Spencer, S.J., Korosi, A., Layé, S. et al. Food for thought: how nutrition impacts cognition and emotion. npj Sci Food 1, 7 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-017-0008-y