Smarter and Stronger with Fish
So we all want to eat a little healthier and we all have our reasons…
We Want to Eat Healthier Because…
1) it makes us look better
2) it makes us feel better
3) it makes us function better
4) it makes our brain stronger
No matter what the reason, an excellent source of healthy fats and lean protein can be found in a variety of different fish.
In fact, a recent study done by the American Journal of Epidemiology found that when young children and expectant mothers supplement their diets with a balance of fish, brain function improves and grows faster in children under the age of 3.
Who Needs to Eat Fish?
Anyone can benefit from additional fish intake, but younger children gain faster brain growth from the omega-3 fatty acids than those who aren’t supplemented.
Children who received 2 servings of fish per week showed an improvement in performance of cognitive abilities, vocabulary skills, and visual recognition.
Why Does it Matter?
These findings are significant because the younger we are, the faster we learn…and fish can play a critical role in establishing correct brain development.
Thinking, behavior, and other cognitive skills are a direct result of brain function, so the development of mental abilities at a young age play a large role in how we process and grow as adults.
What Types of Fish Should We Eat?
1) albacore tuna
2) smoked salmon
3) baked whitefish
4) canned sardines
Any type of fish can provide the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and lean proteins, but the above list of types of fish give us the best ratio.
Why Should We Eat More Fish?
Fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are extremely important components of the brain’s structure and make-up.
Eating more fish encourages brain funcitonality, development, and stamina as we grow from children into adults.
Should We Eat Fish Every Day?
There is a reason for the “2 servings a week” element. Some fish contain high levels of mercury, a poisonous chemical that if eaten in excess can have the opposite effect on the growth of the brain.
Eating too much fish will actually cause developing children to score lower in mental ability tests…so again, balance is everything in this case…so be careful.
What Are the Extended Benefits?
Omega-3 fatty acids play a vital role early on during the brain’s developmental stages. However, they definitely affect our brain’s mental health in a positive light during the adult years.
A diet rich in fatty acids and lean proteins promotes muscle growth and mental processing skills during our development as children, teens, and adults.
Keep eating up on the fish and you’ll experience lower stress levels, leaner muscle, and a healthier life…I need your opinion…what are your ideas on supplementing your diet with fish?
Any feedback here? Favorite recipes? Beneficial effects of fish supplementation in the diet? Comments more than welcome!
[...] Articlesextreme.net wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt So we all want to eat a little healthier and we all have our reasons… We Want to Eat Healthier Because… 1) it makes us look better 2) it makes us feel better 3) it makes us function better 4) it makes our brain stronger No matter what the reason, an excellent source of healthy fats and lean protein can be found in a variety of different fish. In fact, a recent study done by the American Journal of Epidemiology found that when young children and expectant mothers supplement their diet [...]
You can get the little Lunchto Go packets of albacore tuna and lowfat mayo through Starkist; they are good for snacking on at work. nice post
I hate eating fish but I do anyway; usually the smoked kind (those are ok). But the health benefits are crazy so I end up eating them either way.
mmmmm salmon
Lol; well I like it too…especially smoked. I have noticed a big mood improvement from taking a fish oil supplement and eating tuna twice a week because of the fatty acids.
Great post, Derek. Omega 3 is also a big preventor of chronic illnesses and disease. It is especially important in men’s bodies as it has been shown to also stabilize hormones.
This is really good information. I am a big fan of smoked salmon and whitefish, there’s a place we go to in northern Michigan every summer where the whole family gets this stuff. Good to kno thats its also healthy and good to eat.
Yup. I agree with that, very detailed good info. It is hard to get fresh fish depending on where you live. I’ve always been a big fan of fish and seafood. I’ve got a blog that might just compliment yours, on healthy lifestyle choices. Tell me what you think: http://www.reap-a-destiny.com
Thanks man; whereabouts are we talking? That kind of stuff interests me because I’ve enjoyed traveling to Maine and Seattle where lobster is king (Maine) and the fresh Pike’s market is unmatched (Seattle)…what’s crazy is how much the availability effects the price…extreme case of supply and demand.
Keep up with the blog! Continue to add great original content and always tweak, tweak, tweak!
Did you ever look at the fat content in Tuna? Albacore has like only has like 2.5 grams per can and light chunk tuna only has .5. Thats about 2-3 fish oil capsules in a can. That’s assuming all this fat is coming from EFA’s. Salmon has a better fat to serving ratio than tuna.
Now for the educational portion of my post.
Do you wonder why fish are so much higher than other meats in Omega 3’s and EFA’s? Are fish just naturally born with good fat in their body? Actually the fish get the good fats from eating plankton and algae off the sea floor. Some studies are showing that different types of plankton our the worlds perfect food.
“The future of nutrition is found in the ocean” - Jacques Cousteau
David Modderman
http://www.davidmodderman.com/blog
Can you do a post on it? That would be interesting to read up on…
I’ve learned that many people are using Omega-3 fish oil gelcaps as a nutritional supplement for optimal mood, eye, brain, and joint function. I’ve used the brand Ultramarine Omega-3 Virgin Salmon Oil gelcaps and found them to benefit me on many levels. I know that the company Nu-Gen Nutrition at http://www.nu-gen.com sells the Ultramarine Omega-3 gelcaps.
YOU ARE CORRECT SIR! Many people are using the omega-3 fish oil supplement…me being one of them! I tend to pop one or two every other day…but taking more is just fine (depending on the amount of fish you are putting into your diet). They also do a great job at preventing high levels of stress; this is a GREAT pill for men to be taking.
[...] How to Give Your Brain a Boost [...]
[...] taking steps to: limit saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium; to lower sugar consumption; to eat fish twice weekly; to eat more fruits, vegetables, whole-grain and high-fiber foods; and to eat fat-free and low-fat [...]