We’re all “Fatheads”

The bad fats that make up a big part of the modern diet are sabotaging our body’s capacity to build and maintain our brains. There’s compelling evidence that many people have trouble focusing, paying attention, and thinking clearly...because of the kinds of fat they eat.

You’ve probably heard of “good” fats and “bad” fats. You have to get them in the right ratio. Many contemporary health problems are linked to a drastic reduction in the amount of omega-3s in the modern diet.

* Before the onset of modern animal husbandry techniques, beef contained more omega-3s than wild-caught salmon.
* Dietary sources of omega-3s have plummeted during the last 50 years.
* The average American currently consumes twenty times as much omega-6 as omega-3 fatty acids – 20:1 instead a healthy 2:1.

A number of recent studies have drawn a clear link between omega-3s and brainpower.

Two studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids can actually prevent “cognitive decline,” a fancy term for losing your ability to understand and think clearly.4

In the first, researchers examined diet and thinking ability in healthy men who were 79-89 years old. They reviewed the same group 5 years later. They found that men who ate fish regularly were mentally sharper than those who didn’t. The benefit was the result of omega 3s, a nutrient found in abundance in fish.

In the other study on 2,200 older folks, those with high omega-3 blood levels had a better “way with words” than those who didn’t. They could recall words, names, and phrases without difficulty. And they were better able to keep track of what they and others were saying.5

So here’s how to take the first step to get back your native source of omega-3’s: Eat lean meats, preferably wild-caught fish or grass-fed, organic beef. Eggs and nuts are also good sources of omega-3s. Supplements in the form of cod liver oil are also a great source. A tablespoon a day is an excellent first line of defense against ADHD.

This also applies to the young. Boost levels of omega-3 in their diet, and you’ll see results. In fact, I know a number of psychiatrists who prescribe pharmaceutical grade fish oil for patients suffering from mood disorders.

4 Boukje M, et al. Fish consumption, n–3 fatty acids, and subsequent 5-y cognitive decline in elderly men. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2007), 85(4), 1142-1147.
5 May A, et al. Plasma n–3 fatty acids and the risk of cognitive decline in older adults: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2007), 85(4), 1103-1111.

Your Health and Mine