Benefiting at work from Brain Based Insights

Over at NINEmsm there’s an interesting take on fish for a longer life. The question is raised … “Does eating fish really help you live longer?” What do you think? Reporter Leila McKinnon went out to find out if that is true… and you’d be interested in what she found.

I was especially interested in what her findings said about the health of the brain.

McKinnon learned that fish is good for your heart and cholesterol levels, but critical to the health of  the brain too. She quoted work done by Dr Greg Cole … neuroscientist at the University of California … who uses omega three in fish oil to help combat brain disease.

She asked: What experiments has he been doing with the fish oil?

Studies show that having a low fish intake or low blood levels of the omega three fatty acids from fish … increases your risk for Alzheimer's disease… according to Dr Cole. A series of studies using mice with Alzheimer's symptoms challenged mice to locate an island under a variety of conditions.

"And the animals that are doing poorly and can't remember, swim around looking in all the wrong places. So it's a simple test, like finding your car in a parking lot test," Dr Cole said.

By contrast,  the mice with omega three in their diet consistently performed better.  

"We didn't believe our own data, it was so remarkable how much of an effect it had on the loss of the synapse — the nerve connections you use to think with," Cole said.

He found that omega three might be equally beneficial to help repair brain injury.

How much omega oil…?

“Doctors recommend at least 200 milligrams per day. Eating the real thing is always best, but capsules are available too….”

There are a few warnings to keep in mind when you feed fish to your brain though…. “Too much fish might lead to an unhealthy mercury intake. That's particularly the case with large species like swordfish, because mercury intensifies as it goes up the food chain. To be safe, the national heart foundation recommends eating fish no more than three times a week. “

Apparently  Atlantic salmon tops omega lists with up to 2.3 grams per 100g of fish. What did you say you're having for lunch?