Posted on 09/29/2022 11:54:54 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is associated with a greater capacity for selective and sustained attention in adolescents, while alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is associated with lower impulsivity, according to a study. The results confirm the importance of having a diet that provides sufficient amounts of these polyunsaturated fatty acids for a healthy brain development.
During adolescence, important structural and functional changes occur in the brain, especially in the prefrontal area, which plays a major role in controlling attention. On the other hand, omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids are known to be critical for proper brain development and function. The most abundant fatty acid in the brain, particularly in the prefrontal area, is DHA, which is mostly supplied by eating fatty fish.
"Despite the established importance of DHA in brain development, few studies have evaluated whether it plays a role in the attention performance of healthy adolescents," says Jordi Júlvez. "In addition, the possible role of alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), another omega-3 but of plant origin, has not been as extensively studied."
The results show that higher levels of DHA are associated with greater selective and sustained attention and inhibitory attention. In contrast, ALA was not associated with attention performance, but was associated with lower impulsivity. "The role of ALA in attention control is still unclear, but this finding may be clinically relevant, as impulsivity is a feature of several psychiatric conditions, such as ADHD," explains Ariadna Pinar-Martí.
"Our study indicates that dietary DHA most likely plays a role in attention-requiring tasks," concludes Júlvez. In any case, the findings add to the already existing evidence on the benefit of consuming fatty fish (the main source of DHA) at a time when the brain is developing in its highest sophistication before reaching adulthood.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Eat your Salmon (just make sure it’s wild caught!)
I'm fairly smart, but wonder how much more I'd have accomplished if I had gotten a better diet.
I was going to say that your parents probably fed you tuna,
but I looked it up and canned tuna doesn’t count as an oily fish, only fresh tuna.
Anyway, here’s a list of oily fish
https://metro.co.uk/2018/05/01/oily-fish-list-salmon-tuna-mackerel-count-oily-fish-7511476/
Take your code liver oil. Ugh
Yes, canned tuna was the “go to” fish that was at hand and convenient. I don’t remember ever eating Salmon except occasionally at restaurants - we never got it at home.
Then they got rid of the dolphin meat in it.
These days things are more convenient. I have some salmon burgers in the freezer. Take one out, three minutes each side in the fry pan, put it on a bun and eat.
My Grandmother lived with us from my age of ~3 (when Mom went back to work). Every afternoon about 2pm I was dosed with a tablespoon of cod liver oil and about 4 oz. of orange juice.
Even after starting school, until about age 8, I was dosed like that. ...Looking back, despite the horrible taste, I believe it really aided my mental development.
Consider: Asian students usually score highest on tests and they have much more fish in their diets than others.
Nothing wrong with farm raised if your only alternative (mine) is exposure to Fukushima (I know about the color additive chemical; lesser of 2 evils).
Additionally, proper cooking temperatures (NOT atypical prescribed) to ensure the fragile O3 is not destroyed.
Otherwise it’s just expensive, fish-flavored chicken.
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