Here’s a new dieting tip for producing happiness in the brain – eat more fat. It needs to be the right kind of fat, however.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found abundantly in fish, can enhance your mood and build your brain.
In countries where people eat very little seafood, people have a 50% higher risk for depression. Indeed, studies show these fats are at least as good for treating depression as anti-depression drugs. (More scientific studies also show that consuming fish while pregnant is more beneficial, than risky, for baby and mother, even given the amounts of mercury.)
But the other Omega fat, Omega-6, found in various oils, can negate the positive effects of Omega-3’s by actually depleting the amounts already in the body. Unfortunately, in today’s Americanized diet, Omega-6 ingredients have been on the rise for decades, particularly from “seed oils” that were unheard of 100 years ago.
OUT: Omega-6 rich soybean oil, corn oil, safflower seed oil, mayonaise, and margerine
IN: Oils like olive oil and butter. Many grocers now provide generic brands of olive oils, which are less expensive.)
Learn how to build a firewall around your intake of healthy fats and preserve their benefits. You can listen to the show below, and check out the book authored by one of its guests: Maximize the Power of Omega-3s to Supercharge Your Health, Battle Inflammation, and Keep Your Mind Sharp
Listen to the fact-filled program on NPR’s Kojo Show, and his three guests.
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