topic Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health in Brain Health

Omega-3s for Brain Health

AARPRachelA — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 20:38:40 GMT

Your brain needs a certain amount of fat to function properly. Fats provide energy, help the body absorb essential vitamins, and protect nerve cells and connections. But there are good and bad fats, and too much of the wrong kind throws a monkey wrench into the works, speeding the formation of beta-amyloid plaques. Omega-3 is good fat.

According to new research, cold-water fish is the number one brain-healthy food. To survive in the cold water, the fish need a high concentration of fat, which is why they are full of omega-3 fatty acids 🐟 Besides fish, there are lots of yummy ways to add omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. How do you ensure your brain is getting beneficial omega-3s?

For ideas for prepping your pantry and fresh ways to cook at home, go to Brain-Healthy Home Cooking.

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

AARPRachelA — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 19:06:27 GMT

I hosted a dinner party last night, and for appetizers, I made these Smoked Salmon Crackers using bite-sized crackers 😋 I also squeezed some lemon juice on and topped them with a bit of dill. They were tasty and packed with good nutrients!

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

DonnaH707543 — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 01:21:00 GMT

I am vegetarian, and I'm having a hard time finding an Omega-3 supplement that doesn't contain animal products or animal by-products.

Any suggestions?

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

2Papa — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 05:52:04 GMT

It’s easy you guys. 1000mg fish oil capsules daily contains 300 mg omega 3s. Good for your brain, heart, and eyes. You should grab some.

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

LindaB75051 — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 14:59:08 GMT

Rachel, that sounds yummy and good for us

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

LindaB75051 — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 15:02:28 GMT

I am looking for the best place in Eureka to buy smoked salmon. In small amounts. Incidentally can you freeze smoked salmon? I am looking forward to your advice.

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

jw5013387 — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 16:29:38 GMT

Sounds easy but the omegas from fresh fish are actually better.

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

jw5013387 — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 16:45:14 GMT

I’m a nurse & remember being in an MD educational class in the 90s where the subject was the crucial nutrients in fresh fish needed for brain health, especially in a developing fetus. One of the MDs was from India & related how one village was said to always test higher in IQ & that supposedly it was because their diet consisted mainly of fish.

I was also told almost 30 years ago, when given a salmon recipe, to always use fresh wild caught salmon & never farmed salmon. I’ve stuck with that suggestion & frequently order wild caught Alaskan salmon from Sea Bear…it costs more but to me it’s healthier & better tasting. If I’m being very lazy, I may just mix a pouch of wild salmon in with a serving of Mac & cheese.

I really have increased the amount of fresh fish in my diet. I’ve also noticed that when I’m eating more salmon, etc, my joint pain seems to ease up.

I do supplement with fish oil capsules but not as much as previously since a cardiologist told me that the omegas in fresh fish are superior to the capsules.

I like to use different herbs when baking my fish, since I really don’t use salt.

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

jw5013387 — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 16:48:21 GMT

That sounds yummy!
Definitely have to try it….nice change from smoked salmon & cream cheese.

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

AARPRachelA — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 17:43:57 GMT

I'm not sure about supplements @DonnaH707543, but these vegetarian foods are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), one of the essential omega-3s:

For supplement options, I recommend speaking with your doctor.

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

AARPRachelA — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 17:47:48 GMT

They were very tasty @LindaB75051 and @jw5013387! The crackers got soggy from the cottage cheese, so I'd use different ones next time. Or I'd use farmer's cheese instead, which is a variant of cottage cheese but it's firmer.

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

AARPRachelA — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 17:55:58 GMT

I'm not sure about the best place in Eureka to buy smoked salmon, but best of luck with that @LindaB75051! You can freeze smoked salmon, but you need to repackage it. I recommend layering - line a container with parchment paper, place two slices of smoked salmon on paper, top with parchment paper, and keep layering. It's best to not leave it in the freezer for longer than 2 months because it loses the smokey flavor.

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

DonnaH707543 — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 18:17:10 GMT

Thanks! 🌷

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

jw5013387 — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 18:37:06 GMT

Right! I forgot about these….I like to add walnuts to my oatmeal, yogurt & cottage cheese.

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

8strts — Sat, 16 Oct 2021 08:24:22 GMT

Use flaxseed in your diet, it has the omegas. I have it in my homemade pancakes and waffles! Yum!!

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

ldzinr — Sat, 13 Nov 2021 15:25:30 GMT

I recommend Vegetology, a UK company, that has a supplement called Opti3. Two capsules provide 835mg of omega-3’s from micro algae, 300mg EPA, 500mg DHA, and 200iu plant-based D3. I order online from the US, directly from Vegetology’s website.

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

candyl230279 — Mon, 15 Nov 2021 13:29:21 GMT

It’s pretty expensive to buy fresh wild-caught salmon, so we have it rarely. I’m not fond of sardines, but when mixed with tuna for a croquet or salad, it becomes quite bearable, so that’s what I do most of the time. My hubby is easy - he loves canned salmon.

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

AARPRachelA — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 16:57:44 GMT

I forgot about tinned fish, thanks for reminding me @candyl230279!

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

f585753s — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 10:41:56 GMT

Try Aldi's food store for fresh never frozen Wild Trout Salmon. It's truly delicious. Good flavor I'll never eat farm raised again.

Re: Omega-3s for Brain Health

jw5013387 — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 13:05:16 GMT

I shop at Aldi but it’s rare that my stores in south NJ carry actual wild caught salmon. Usually, it’s Atlantic salmon which is farmed. Occasionally they have had wild caught Alaskan salmon