Supplement Turns Seniors Into “Brainiacs”
By
Natalie Moore
Posted June 3, 2017
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
We all have that friend or neighbor who seems to learn things faster than everyone else does.
You know, the guy that walks away from your weekly poker game with a stack of cash after reading just one “how to be a better poker player” article.
While it’s easy to think his brainiac powers have something to do with his genes, this may not actually be the case.
Because new research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease shows that a certain nutrient can help you learn faster and understand new information at lightning speed.
Even better, this same powerful substance can help you fight dementia and depression.
If you haven’t already guessed it, I’m talking about omega-3 fatty acids.
And scientists have known for years that omega-3s can help boost your brain.
More recently, researchers from California were curious to see exactly how omega-3s affect the blood flow to your brain. Blood flow is vital for proper learning, memory and emotional function.
For the study, researchers assessed omega-3 blood levels of 166 participants. Next they scanned 128 parts of their brains, including those linked to learning and memory, while the participants took cognitive tests and had their emotions evaluated.
After reviewing the data, the researchers made an amazing discovery…
Folks with low levels of omega-3 have reduced blood flow to part of the brain associated with dementia, memory, learning and depression.
However, the results were very different for folks with high levels of omega-3s…
Not only did they have increased blood flow to these regions of the brain, but they also experienced better emotional and mental health.
This means upping your omega-3 intake could help you learn quicker, fight dementia and keep your emotions in check — in other words, omega-3s could make you a real brainiac.
You can get more omega-3s in your diet by eating certain types of fish, like salmon, tuna and sardines.
Or you can always take an omega-3 supplement. Just be sure to choose one that’s been molecularly distilled. This process strips out toxins while preserving the nutrients.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Sources
[1] Can omega-3 help prevent Alzheimer’s disease? Brain SPECT imaging shows possible link
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
Is Your Diet ACTUALLY Healthy? Here’s How to Tell
I’ve probably uttered the phrase “healthy diet” when talking to patients, family, and friends more times than I’ve had cups of coffee—and that’s saying something! But I’ll admit it’s not always entirely clear what a healthy diet looks like. What does healthy eating really mean? Let’s take a look… Good news—healthy eating doesn’t mean you...
7 Natural Ways to Tackle Pain Without Pills
On Tuesday, we explored a promising new frontier in pain relief: terpenes, natural compounds found in cannabis (and other plants) that may ease pain without the risks of opioids. That research is still developing. But what if you’re looking for help right now? Good news: You don’t have to wait for a pharmaceutical breakthrough to...
Mailbag: Pinched to Pain Free with Natural Sciatica Solutions
“I have been suffering from sciatic pain in my hip and groin. I try to do exercises to stretch it. But ever since I slipped on the ice and fell on my left hip it seems to be getting worse. Is there any help for this?” -Painfully Pinched Dear Pinched, I understand how frustrating sciatic...
New Cannabis Discovery Could Ease Pain—Without the High
A few years ago, everywhere you turned, someone was talking about CBD. The cannabis extract had exploded in popularity for everything from anxiety to inflammation to joint pain. And while the CBD conversation continues, another cannabis compound is quietly making headlines. One that could—believe it or not—provide relief from all kinds of pain. Without the...
"Sinful Trio" SLASHES Metabolic Syndrome Risk
Are you tired of hearing your doctor’s endless “don’t eat this, don’t drink that” lectures? Well, this Easter Sunday, I’ve got news that might just have you hopping happily to your pantry. Turns out, some of life’s tastiest pleasures could help protect you from one of today’s most common health threats—metabolic syndrome. Let’s dig into...
Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED
By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....