Why Fatty Fish Is Good For Your Brain

Looking to boost your memory and concentration? You're better off eating oily fish twice a week than popping expensive herbal pills or fish oil supplements, according to a consumer survey.

Australian consumer group Choice tested several supplements and found that two weekly servings of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as sardines and salmon, can boost brain function as much as or more than pills containing ginkgo biloba, brahmi and fish oil.

Fish oil supplements were also found to contain less of the maximum daily dietary target of omega-3.

"Supplements or herbal products are not the smart option. But eating more fish certainly is," Choice spokesman Christopher Zinn said in a statement.

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Comments

[philipbarr]

The risk of toxins can definitely outweigh the benefit of the fish.
Four points:
1. There are two excellent sites to find the best (and worst) fish: Monterey Bay Aquarium's "Seafood Watch" and Oceans Alive. Google them.
2. The type of supplement can vay widely. If you can't get to a good fish store, order some of the mercury and toxin tested fish oil like "Nordic Naturals", Xymogen, or Orthomolecular Products to name a few.
3. If allergic to fish, the flax and hemp oil products are excellent, also.
4. The authors did not distinguish between other nutritional "brain support" supplements. The quality and efficacy can vary widely. I , for one, would not dismiss the value of the supplements listed in this article.

[loki]

But do the mercury and other toxic pollution levels cancel out that benefit?

[krayonc]

I prefer chia seed/grain, specifically The Signature Grain. It doesn't go bad, no mercury problems, doesn't smell and has 2000mg of Omega 3 per serving. It doesn't really have a flavor so you can add it to anything. I put chia in my steak sauce & my steak has more Omega 3's than your salmon.

It's also got more calcium than whole milk, more magnesium than broccoli, more dietary fiber than flax seed, more potassium than bananas & more antioxidants than blueberries. http://buychiagrain.com

[NoSillyName]

Are you a LifeMax Independent Distributor? Just looked at the site and that stuff looks very expensive. $60 for a "canister". How much is in the canister? Looks nutritious, but out of my meager budget.

[Readbetweentheelevens]

For all of you red meat lovers out there -- after the salmon is cooked, take some of your favorite mustard (I use brown mustard) and spread it generously on the salmon -- let it set a bit in the heat of the skillet or pan -- voilà! The salmon tastes just like a corn dog -- and it's good for you!

[easyrider1969]

Might as well eat the fish because we're all breathing and dringing the mercury anyway. Good luck in not contracting an autoimmune disease.

[LeftCoastLefthandedLefty]

The only problem with this gameplan (eat more fish) is the amount of mercury in most commercially available seafood. Otherwise I love it a salmon is one of my favorites!!!

[oneblackvote]

My daily dinner is grilled salmon, organic brown rice and string beans cooked in olive oil. It works for me. I'm 51 years old and all I take is a muti vitamin and a iron pill, daily. l also walk 3 miles Monday-Friday. I feel good, really good.

[dora rice]

iron pill? with 51? why. Are you bleeding? if you are a woman past menopause you may want Folic acid but no iron . To much iron can clog up the very small veins in your brain with to many blood cells. But who am I? just a big ape and don't know nothing. Salmon of course is good.

[chazyvr]

With fish stock collapsing worldwide, where is all this fish oil supposed to come from?

http://www.globalization101.org/index.php?file=news1&id=75