Fish for Thought

Eat Fish for Razor-sharp Memory

If you don’t remember the last time you had fish, it’s time to sharpen your memory. Studies reveal eating fish to boost memory and this is one of the many brain-boosting benefits associated with eating more fish.

Maintain Balance in your Savings Account

Omega-3 fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, present at the nerve endings of our brain play a pivotal role in our cognitive behavior for memory and brain performance. Don’t be pleased if you remember to add fish to your shopping list after consuming foods rich in DHA. DHA levels are actually related to more serious mental problems such as Alzheimer’s disease later in life, something drastically serious than the occasional forgetfulness.

Don’t commit the mistake of eating fish after signs of memory loss. Instead, think of eating fish just like the savings plan for your brain and not a one-time lottery win. Eating one piece of fish is not going to help you get an A in your test. It is a cumulative effect that does not happen so quickly.

Which Fish is the Best Fish?

Famous dietary guidelines recommend eating fish at least twice a week. DHA-rich fish such as wild salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel, herring and farmed trout should be your first choice. Grill, broil or boil to avoid the extra fat that comes along with deep frying. Choose eco-friendly and low-mercury content fish such as sardines and wild Alaskan salmon for best health benefits. Avoid lake trout as it has high mercury content in it.

Feel Good & Look Good

Though our ultimate aim is to feel good, none of us can deny the fact that looking good is also an important item in our priority list. Fish are a rich source of lean protein that ensures top aerobic fitness in our body to power through exercise. Containing low saturated fat than red meat, having tuna instead of a burger ensures additional omega-3s that help to lower blood pressure and reduce heart attack risk.

Supplements for DHA?

Acquiring DHA is possible but difficult for vegetarians. Algae, a source of DHA, is used to make vegetarian DHA supplements. Other vegetarian food sources of DHA include ground flaxseeds, walnuts and chia seeds. As our body converts only about 5 percent of plant-based omega-3s into DHA, people who don’t eat fish are recommended to meet a registered dietitian nutritionist at www.firsteatright.com to discuss about DHA supplements.