{"id":139,"date":"2022-01-20T00:48:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-20T00:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/salmonfacts.org\/?p=139"},"modified":"2022-09-20T13:03:41","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T13:03:41","slug":"eating-salmon-for-brain-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salmonfacts.org\/eating-salmon-for-brain-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Eating Salmon For Brain Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Does eating salmon make you smarter?<\/strong> Well, intelligence can be a subjective metric, but what IS known for sure is that eating salmon is good for your brain health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The human brain is 60% fat, and, more specifically, DHA (an omega-3 essential fatty acid) is a major structural component of the human brain. A lack of omega-3s can therefore lead to impaired brain function. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A diet low in omega-3s has been linked to mood swings, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, schizophrenia, and delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as  Alzheimer’s disease. Salmon is a good source of omega-3s, as well as Vitamin B12\u2014another nutrient essential for brain health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People often ask, \u201cWhat is the best food for brain health?<\/strong>\u201d Salmon is a particularly rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, containing more than three times the amount found in tuna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are essential nutrients that the body cannot produce on its own, so they must be obtained through food or supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids are important for brain development and cognitive function, as well as heart health and joint health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eating Salmon For Brain Health?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your brain cells need insulation, and that\u2019s where the DHA from Salmon comes in. This essential fatty acid is responsible for protecting neurons from injury, reducing cerebral inflammation, and helping produce neurotransmitters. It\u2019s necessary for quick information transfer down the axon of the neuron. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, this insulation breaks down as we age, and this deterioration has been linked to memory loss, mood disorders, cognitive decline, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), reduced brain volume and Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, if you fail to consume enough DHA in your diet, your brain will be unable to transmit signals optimally. You\u2019ll leave your neurons exposed to injury, disease, inflammation, and ultimately, reduced cognitive capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Some Other Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We have already mentioned that omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acids found in salmon that are essential for brain health. They are also important for overall growth and development, and must be obtained through the diet because the body cannot produce them on its own. Omega-3 fatty acids have a number of health benefits, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n