Learn about brain health and nootropics to boost brain function
(Natural News) Omega-3 fatty acids are believed to play a role in many different fundamental brain processes. These essential fatty acids have been associated with proper brain development and functioning of the central nervous system.
In a recent study published in the journal Food Science and Human Wellness, a team of researchers from the University of Regensburg in Germany sought to determine the effects of omega-3 deficiency on attention functions and impulsive behavior in rats. In addition, the research team looked at the effects of a diet that includes adequate omega-3 fatty acids in rats deficient on the nutrient on the same behavioral domains. The team found that omega-3 fatty acids indeed play a role in cognitive and behavioral processes. In particular, they found that adding omega-3 fatty acids to one’s diet improves attention and impulsive behavior.
In the study, the research team fed rats with an omega-3 deficient diet over several generations, and the dams of the seventh generation were randomly assigned to two diet groups and a received an omega-3 deficient or an omega-3 sufficient diet. In addition, they fed a group of previously untreated dams with an omega-3 sufficient diet. After these, the researchers assessed the attention and impulsive behavior of the male offspring of these three diet groups.
The results showed that the deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids over generations led to significant changes in the attention parameters and impulsive behaviors of rats. The treatment with the omega-3 sufficient diet also partially corrected the impairments associated with an omega-3 deficiency.
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The findings of this study suggest that the detrimental effects of transgenerational of omega-3 deficiency can be at least partly reversed by feeding an omega-3 sufficient diet to dams and their offspring. This supports earlier animal studies that showed supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids can help in the recovery from behavioral deficits, such as impairments in spatial performance, avoidance, anxiety, or activity induced by a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) deficiency.
Omega-3 fatty acids also provide the following brain health benefits:
You can get omega-3 fatty acids from nuts, seeds, fish, seaweed, and algae. Nuts and seeds like chia seeds, hemp seeds, flaxseeds, and walnuts are loaded with alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), while fatty fish like mackerel and salmon, seaweed, and algae provide docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and EPA fatty acids. Omega-3s are also available in supplement form.
Read more news stories and studies on the brain health benefits of omega-3s fatty acids by going to Omega3.news.
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