### Boost Your Immune System and Brain Health with Omega-3 Supplements
As flu season approaches, it’s important to support your immune system. Along with increasing your vitamin D levels, recent studies suggest that taking an omega-3 supplement can boost not only your immune system but also your heart and brain health. Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that is crucial for our overall health. However, our bodies cannot produce it, so it must be obtained through our diet. The two most important types of omega-3 fatty acids are DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), which play a vital role in keeping our brain cells healthy and functioning properly. Unfortunately, the best way to obtain high levels of DHA and EPA is by consuming oily fish, seaweed, or taking a supplement.
### Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Brain Health
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Texas and published in the journal Neurology found a strong link between levels of EPA and DHA in the blood and brain health. The study involved taking blood samples and brain scans from 2,000 middle-aged volunteers. The results showed that individuals with higher levels of DHA and EPA performed better in cognitive tests. Moreover, volunteers who carried a variant of the APOE4 gene, which is associated with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, but also had high levels of DHA and EPA, had less brain damage compared to those who did not. While the exact reasons for the brain-protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids are still unknown, theories suggest that they play a crucial role in the membranes surrounding nerve cells or possess powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Increasing your omega-3 consumption, even by a small amount, can protect your brain.
### Obtaining Omega-3 through Diet
Consuming oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, or herring, is the best way to obtain high levels of DHA and EPA. However, most people in the UK do not regularly consume oily fish, with only a quarter of individuals meeting the recommended dietary intake. This is particularly concerning for children, teenagers, and pregnant women, who need omega-3 the most. Research from Oxford University revealed that 10% of children aged between seven and nine never eat fish, leading to lower levels of DHA in their blood, which is associated with poor reading and memory skills. For those who do not consume fish or follow a plant-based diet, seaweed can be an alternative source of omega-3. While it may not contain as much omega-3 as oily fish, seaweed has been a part of human diets for thousands of years and can help supplement your omega-3 intake.
### Omega-3 Supplements and Heart Health
If you are unable to obtain sufficient omega-3 through your diet, supplements can be an option. A review of over 40 studies published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that supplements containing DHA and EPA reduced the risk of fatal heart attacks by 35%. Cardiologist Dr. Carl Lavie recommends a daily supplement with a dosage of 1000 to 2000 mg of both DHA and EPA. However, it is important to note that if you regularly consume oily fish, you may not need a supplement. The current blood tests to determine omega-3 levels are costly and time-consuming, but researchers from McMaster University in Canada have developed a simpler and more affordable test that may soon be available.
### A Novel Approach to Weight Loss: Poo Transplants
In the quest for effective weight loss solutions, researchers have discovered a peculiar method: poo transplants. In 2006, scientists at Washington University demonstrated that transferring gut bacteria from obese mice to lean mice resulted in rapid weight gain, even without additional food intake. Subsequent human trials using faecal transplants from lean donors have shown promising results, although the effects are not long-lasting. Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel have now developed a new approach. They placed 82 obese middle-aged volunteers on a low-calorie Mediterranean-style diet, resulting in an average weight loss of 8.3kg (18lbs) over six months. The participants’ faeces were collected, analysed, frozen, and encapsulated in odourless capsules. Over the next year, the volunteers were given either their own capsules or a placebo. Those who received their own beneficial bacteria capsules maintained their weight loss, while those who did not experience improvements in their gut microbiome regained some weight.
### Conclusion
Boosting your immune system and supporting brain health is crucial, especially during flu season. Increasing your vitamin D levels and consuming omega-3 fatty acids can provide numerous benefits. While the best way to obtain omega-3 is through diet by consuming oily fish or seaweed, supplements can be an option for those who cannot meet their dietary requirements. Additionally, researchers are exploring innovative approaches such as faecal transplants to aid in weight loss. By understanding the role of gut bacteria and making sustainable dietary changes, individuals can achieve long-lasting results.
Original Story at www.dailymail.co.uk – 2023-10-28 00:10:35
