Dr. G’s “Super Brain” Secret

Q: My wife and I read your article about all the stuff in our environment that can give us Alzheimer’s. She was happy that you recommended organic food – she got me to start eating organic years ago. But are there any supplements we should be taking for our brains, too?

— Daniel C. 

Dr. G: Well, Daniel, it looks like you married well – I’m glad to hear you and your wife have been eating organic.

In terms of supplements, the best way to give your brain a boost is by loading up on omega-3 fatty acids.

They’ve been proven to improve your mood and memory, and even help you grow NEW brain cells!

But I’ve been especially interested in a recent study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease that found that omega-3 fatty acids lower your risk of developing dementia.

The researchers found that omega-3s lead to increased blood flow in areas of the brain typically impacted by dementia.

Basically, they looked at these regions of the brain and found that when more omega-3s were present, the blood flow was higher.

That’s critical, because brain cells get damaged and die without adequate blood flow. And inadequate blood flow can definitely lead to dementia and dementia-like symptoms.

One of the key reasons why omega-3s are so good for brain health is because they contain DHA, which is the major fatty acid constituent of the brain. I always tell my patients that to build a big brain, we need boatloads of DHA.

This is just the latest in a long – and growing – list of studies showing the seemingly limitless benefits of these healthy fats.

Longevity studies have shown that some of the healthiest, longest-living societies on the planet eat the most omega-3s foods – as much as 8 times more than what you’d find in the typical American diet.

Your body can’t make its own fatty acids, which means it depends on getting enough in your diet. The foods highest in omega-3s include salmon, tuna, krill, algae, walnuts, egg yolks, and cod liver oil.

I always recommend getting your nutrients through food if possible, and omega-3s are no different. But if you’re not eating at least 3 servings of wild-caught fish and sea veggies per week, chances are you’re not feeding your brain enough omega-3s.

The best omega-3 supplements contain both DHA and EPA, and you can get them from any online or retail supplement store.