Saturday, June 30, 2012

Does Salmon Affect Your Brain?


 Your body, especially your brain, is sensitive to most foods and beverages you consume. In essence, everything you put into your mouth has a least a small affect on your brain, but some compounds lead to more benefits than others. Salmon contains a number of such beneficial compounds, which is why it’s sometimes referred to as “brain food” by nutritionists. Ask your doctor about all the potential health benefits of including salmon in your diet.

Salmon

Salmon is a cold-water fish that’s considered fatty, but in a good way. It’s rich in essential omega-3 fatty acids, which display anti-inflammatory properties beneficial for cardiovascular health and other properties beneficial for your brain. Salmon is also an excellent source of vitamin D and a good source of vitamin B-12, which both contribute to brain function in positive ways. Fresh, wild salmon is considered the most nutritious and many nutritionists recommend adding it to your diet.

Does Salmon Affect Your Brain?
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Your body, especially your brain, is sensitive to most foods and beverages you consume. In essence, everything you put into your mouth has a least a small affect on your brain, but some compounds lead to more benefits than others. Salmon contains a number of such beneficial compounds, which is why it’s sometimes referred to as “brain food” by nutritionists. Ask your doctor about all the potential health benefits of including salmon in your diet.

Salmon

Salmon is a cold-water fish that’s considered fatty, but in a good way. It’s rich in essential omega-3 fatty acids, which display anti-inflammatory properties beneficial for cardiovascular health and other properties beneficial for your brain. Salmon is also an excellent source of vitamin D and a good source of vitamin B-12, which both contribute to brain function in positive ways. Fresh, wild salmon is considered the most nutritious and many nutritionists recommend adding it to your diet.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 fats, especially a type called docosahexaenoic acid or DHA. Studies have shown that DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids help the brain in many ways, such as increasing learning or cognitive capability and enhancing memory, according to the “Natural Standard Herb & Supplement Reference: Evidence-based Clinical Reviews.” Consequently, DHA is used to help combat Alzheimer’s disease, attention deficit disorder, depression and schizophrenia. DHA works by helping the neurons of the brain communicate better by stimulating chemicals at their synaptic junctions. DHA is actually the most abundant omega-3 fat in cell membranes within the brain. Supplementing with fish oil capsules is another way of flooding your brain with DHA.

Vitamin D

Salmon is also high in vitamin D, which acts much like a hormone throughout your body, including your brain. Not only is vitamin D essential for healthy bones, but also it’s needed for normal sleep cycles and mood regulation. Furthermore, a study published in a 2010 edition of the journal “Archives of Internal Medicine” found that elderly people who are vitamin D deficient are 40 percent more likely to suffer from age-related memory loss. A 4-ounce piece of wild salmon contains more than 1,000 international units of vitamin D, which is more than 250 percent of the recommended daily value.

Vitamin B-12

Salmon is also a good source of vitamin B-12 or cobalamin. B-12 has many functions, but it’s essential for transmitting nerve messages and for normal brain function, especially short-term memory and cognition, according to the “Textbook of Nutritional Medicine.” B-12 deficiency symptoms mimic those of Alzheimer’s disease and include reduced brain function, depression, irritability and fatigue, among others. A 4-ounce piece of wild salmon contains about 110 percent of the recommended daily value for B-12.

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