diet - Fats and the Brain

Fats and the Brain

by Anne Arsenault

It is said that the brain is 40-60 % fat. So when we take fats out of our diet, our brain along with other parts of our body suffers. What we need to do is change the bad fats that we eat to good fats. Good fats nourish our body and keep us young and healthy. Good fats consist of: flax oil, extra virgin olive oil, salmon oil, fish oils, primrose oil, hemp oil and their combinations. Also eating raw nuts, seeds and avocadoes will provide good fats in the diet; the body cannot make them, they must be consumed.
Firstly, the good fats (efa’s) are a part of the structure of the cell membrane. They help form the barrier against viruses, bacteria and other foreign substances. This barrier also keeps important items in the cell, such as: genetic materials, proteins, enzymes and the cell organelles. What goes in and what goes out of each cell is also

regulated by the cell membrane. It is said the health of the body is dependant on the health of its cells.
These efa’s are also precursors of things like DHA, which is needed by the brain, as well as the adrenals and eyes. These good fats are used for energy production, oxygen use and electron transport, all of these of course are important to healthy brain function. Basically, without proper fats in the diet, our brain will suffer.
Mental health is so important. Without good fats in the diet, the prostaglandins that regulate the neurotransmitters (the chemicals that transmit information from nerve cell to nerve cell) cannot be made. Mental illness can set in, conditions such as: Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Senility and other undiagnosed conditions, irritability, PMS, anger, etc. Essential Fatty Acids have a calming affect on the nerves

and the body; hyperactive children are usually benefited by efa’s. Depression and aging are also helped by efa supplementation.
To get more good fats in your diet, eat fish, raw nuts, seeds, avocadoes, green leafy vegetables and cold pressed oils: flax, hemp and their combinations. Never cook with these good fats, frying should be done with butter or coconut oil.
Remember its not how much fat you consume, it’s the type of that counts.

About The Author

Anne Arsenault has been studying and working in the health field for over ten years now. She has been writing for five years and has a wesite with more informative health articles at: www.healthbrights.com. She is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and strives to make health more easily understood.

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