Brought to you by:

What's the Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Brain Health?

Feb 03,2020


A growing number of experts agree that omega-3 fatty acids affect almost every body system.

Research has documented the connection between omega-3s in several neurological and psychological conditions. A recent study found a correlation between omega-3 fatty acids that are related to an increased risk in Alzheimer’s.

How to get your omega-3s

The Harvard Medical School Guide, Understanding Inflammation, suggests a few specific foods that provide healthy doses of omega-3 fatty acids, which have long been shown to reduce inflammation:

  • Olive oil
  • Flaxseed oil
  • Fatty fish (salmon, sardines and mackerel)

The National Institutes of Health says that omega-3 fatty acids affect almost every body system and numerous health conditions. Some of the interest in omega-3s is traced back to observations that Greenland Inuit people (who have a high diet in fish oils) have lower serum cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) than might be expected.

Evidence has been mounting over recent years for the positive effects on various disease processes and risk factors. Let’s look at a few of the areas positively affected by omega-3 intake, including brain health:

  • Neurological and psychological conditions: The relationship between omega-3 intake and these conditions is grounded in known aspects of brain and neuron physiology. Adequate omega-3 intake seems to help prevent cognitive decline in people’s middle and later years.
    Omega-3 fatty acids have also been studied in the context of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and depression. They have found that some children respond to omega-3 supplementation.
  • Cardiovascular: Perhaps the most well-known effects of omega-3s are on the cardiovascular system (CS). And dietary fish consumption and fish oil supplementation have been studied on coronary artery disease (CAD), arrhythmias, heart failure, and hypertension.
  • Ophthalmological: Dietary intake of omega 3s may benefit age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and dry eye syndrome. In fact, several studies have shown a decreased risk of AMD when people ate fish two or more times per week.
    And people with dry eye syndrome (DES) are linked to a decreased dietary intake of omega-3s or a high ratio of dietary omega-6.
  • Other Body Systems: Additionally, there are even more health conditions and body systems affected by dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids to include dermatological (skin conditions), and arthritis and joint health.

Add omega-3s to your diet today!

If you would like to add an extra measure to ensure you get the omega-3 fatty acids your body needs, please consider our [TVBLOGCOPY]Omega3 Prime[/TVBLOGCOPY][MWSBLOGCOPY]Omega3 Prime[/MWSBLOGCOPY] supplement. You can also stack up on VitaPoints!

Click here to read the full article by the National Institutes of Health.

Get to Know NO — 

Oct 01,2023

Get to Know NO — 

Nitric Oxide, the Miracle Molecule When you hear “nitric oxide,” you might think of nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas. While you might appreciate nitrous oxide gas at the dentist’s office, nitric oxide is quite different. Taking care to maintain plenty of nitric oxide in our bodies…

Read More
Episode 70: Supporting Your Immune Health During Cold and Flu Season

Oct 01,2023

Episode 70: Supporting Your Immune Health During Cold and Flu Season

This month on Healthy You, Michael R. Ellison hands over the microphone to TriVita’s own Dr. Paul Bernitt as our new host. Regular listeners will be no strangers to Dr. Paul’s wealth of knowledge and experience. We eagerly anticipate more of his wisdom and insights. Don’t worry—Michael will…

Read More