FATS for BRAIN FUNCTION!
Do you know that more than 50% of your brain is made up of fat? That’s why you need to eat fats for brain function.
Over the last 30 years you’ve probably heard message after message that fat is bad for you, but now more than ever you need to be eating good quality fats. They are super-important for brain function, and especially DHA an omega-3.
There’s a ton of research that shows the positive effects of good fats on cognitive function and memory, depression and anxiety, as well as ADHD and other mood disorders.
Your body needs to eat fats for good brain function and here’s some important other reasons they need to be part of your regular diet:
Healthy fats also provide:
• An energy source.
• The building blocks for many hormones and hormone-like substances.
• Insulation for the body and they help maintain a safe body temperature.
• Protection for the vital organs, the heart and kidneys etc.
• Transport of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K to the cells.
• Support for nerve fibres.
• Structure to the cells in our body.
• Cardiovascular health benefits.
If you want to optimise your brain health, then you need to make sure that your diet contains some of the following:
• Oily fish such as wild salmon, herring, mackerel and sardines.
• Lean meats and poultry; organic preferably
• Nuts such as almonds, cashews, Brazils and walnuts.
• Organic Eggs with access to omega-3s
• Grass-reared meat
• Flaxseeds and chia seeds
• Avocado
• Butter and coconut oil (provided you don’t have a sensitivity to dairy or amines)
• Olive oil
• Green leafy veggies
The following foods generally contain poor-quality fats and need to be avoided:
• Margarine and vegetable spreads
• Commercial baked goods: cookies, cakes, pies & crackers, donuts
• Cook-in sauces and pastes and some salad dressings
• Pizza and deep-fried foods
• Foods from fast-food outlets
• Snack foods such as crisps and bars
• Ready-made meals
• Some ready-made cup soups/noodles
You might have noticed that I’ve said “yes” to butter and “no” to margarine.
Here’s 6 Reasons why butter beats margarine hands down!
• Butter is a real food. Margarine is processed from liquid vegetable oils that may well be rancid.
• It’s a great source of vitamins A, D, E and K (provided it comes from green-grass eating cows).
• There’s no need for artificial additives to give it an appealing colour, consistency or taste.
• Omega-3s to 6s are in the right .
• The lecithin it contains aids in the correct assimilation & metabolising of cholesterol.
• The healthful antioxidants in butter help support your well-being.
Whilst eating a wholefood diet is recommended, it’s not always possible to get enough omega-3s (EPA/DHA) through diet alone; so you might want to discuss supplementing with a quality, toxin-free fish-oil with your health practitioner.
The information provided in this website is of a general nature only. It is not intended to replace or substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Any health concerns should be discussed with your medical practitioner or other healthcare professional