True Health Project

Do you know flaxseed is a source of omega 3 fatty acids?

When we think of fats, we also automatically associate it with obesity, clogged arteries and well, a few new pair of jeans. What most people don’t know is that while there are the bad fats, there are also the fats that actually neutralize the effects of bad fats.

The body is not the only thing affected by consumption of fats – your brain relies on a steady amount of good fats too, for it to function optimally. Therefore, it is important to feed your brain the right kind of fats. This article will shed light into why the brain needs fats, and which fatty foods boost brain health.

First, here are some facts about fats and the brain. Remember that the human brain is comprised of sixty percent fat. Each brain cell membrane and every nerve’s myelin sheath are made up of fat. A baby’s brain rapidly grows and even triples in size until he or she reaches his or her first birthday. The successful growth and development of the brain relies on a baby’s adequate intake of fats. 50% of breast milk, considered a baby’s complete food for six months, is where baby gets his or her daily consumptions of fats crucially needed by his or her brain.

But what happens to the brains once a mother weans her child from her breast? That’s where a nutritious diet comes to play. Here are a few of the good fats that need to be part of everyone’s diet.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a brain – building fat present in many children’s milk. This is extremely important because brains have to be highly developed in order for one to perform in life optimally. DHA is an omega 3 fatty acid. I

n adults, the consumption of omega 3 fatty acid-rich foods such as krill oil have proven significant benefits to those with cholesterol and heart ailments. In addition, DHA has also shown benefits for those with Alzheimer’s Disease.   According to studies, this omega 3 fatty acid inhibits the accumulation of a protein known to cause Alzheimer’s.

Flaxseed is another source of omega 3 fatty acids, especially for vegetarians. Apart from its anti-cholesterol benedits, flaxseed is also known to thin blood and prevent cancer. By thinning the blood and minimizing cholesterol build-up, it assures the brain of adequate oxygenated blood supply.

Finally, monounsaturated fatty acids, or MUFAs, are more beneficial to the body than to the brain, but anything consumed for the body, is also consumed by the brain. Monounsaturated fatty acids are found in olives, avocadoes, seafood, walnuts and soybeans. MUFAs work by neutralizing the effects of bad fats in the body.

Think of it this way:  Blood vessels that carry blood throughout all parts of the body are like tubes that have the tendency to clog. Bad fats solidify and clog these blood vessels, causing bad blood supply and sometimes, even a heart attack of a stroke. Also, when organs like the brain lack blood supply, it cannot function properly. One has trouble thinking, concentrating and even performing daily chores. MUFAs, on the other hand, are like oils – they pass through the tubes fluidly. When they do, they flush out the bad fats that have gotten in the way of good blood supply.

Photo by AlishaV/ Alisha Vargas