Brain Food: Food That Make You Smarter

There are certain foods that make our brain healthy.There is this evidence that oily fish is considered as brain food besides turmeric and some fruits and vegetables.

Have you heard of the word “omega-3 fatty acids?” Omega - 3 fatty acids are not only good for the brain but also good for the heart. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), the main constituent of the cell membranes in the brain is one of the omega-3s. And a deficiency on it can weaken brain’s architecture and leave it vulnerable to disease.

Oily fish like herring, salmon, sardines, black cod, mackerel and bluefish are the best source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Vegetarian sources of omega-3s are hemp, flax and walnuts. They are good additions to the diet but are not as reliable as fish.

Some people rely on fish-oil-supplements. Some supplements are flavored and some even taste good. A good starting dose of fish oil of any kind is 1 g a day. Higher doses which are up to 10 g a day is for the treatment of diverse conditions such as depression, autism, bipolar disorder, and attention-deficit disorder, with varying results.

For vegetarians and vegans, there is non-fish source of omega-3s – supplements made from algae. Algae are the source of omega 3s that fish store in their fat.

Turmeric, another source of omega-3s, a relative of ginger, is a yellow spice which is the main ingredient in American mustard and Indian curries. It is a powerful inflammatory agent and may offer protection against Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s begins as an inflammatory process in the brain. Scientists have now carefully studied other medicinal effects of turmeric.

A study shows that India has the world’s lowest rate of Alzheimer’s. The contributing factor might be their daily consumption of turmeric.

Brightly colored fruits and vegetables, another source of omega-3s, have anti-oxidant properties. It offers protection against cancer and other chronic diseases like Parkinson’s disease.

Brain foods I mentioned above should be supplemented with exercise and healthy lifestyle.