To understand the power of omega-3 fats, it’s worthwhile to understand certain physical properties of their molecules. This will give an understanding of how wonderful it is!
We can describe the variety of fats as sticks with different lengths and bends. Saturated fats are straight sticks, and various unsaturated fats are sticks with one to six bends.
Straight sticks are easy to arrange in your hand and make a stable bundle. At room temperature, a substance rich in saturated fats will be an illiquid lump, or a fat. It follows that when saturated fats are incorporated into a cell membrane, they give stability to that membrane.
Bent sticks are more difficult to arrange into a stable bundle; the more bends there are, the less they can be arranged. At room temperature, a substance rich in unsaturated fats will be liquid – an oil. Thus, when these fats are built into a cell membrane, they give the membrane fluidity.
Cell membranes always have both types of fats.
SO WHAT?
Brain cell membranes have a larger proportion of omega-3 fats molecules than are found in other cells, particularly one called DHA. This molecule has six bends, which provide the membrane great liquidity. And this is the secret.
This liquidity is the physical property which enables brain cells to extend “arms and legs” (axons and dendrites) to connect with their neighbors, and this makes optimal brain function possible. These connections form patterns as part of our thought processes, as they change and deepen with every thought. Hebrew readers may visit my article, Brain Channels.
Without an adequate amount of available DHA in the mother’s body, the developing fetal nervous system (brain, spinal cord and eyes) will have difficult developing to its full potential. That is why omega-3 supplementation is essential during pregnancy and is among the first supplements I recommend for a pregnant woman.
I’ve seen research showing a direct correlation between supplementation of omega-3 during pregnancy and the child’s success in school years later.
By the way, omega-3 deficiency is strongly linked to depression, and a woman who does not supplement omega-3 during pregnancy increases her risk of postpartum depression. The fetus will “steal” the omega-3 from their mother, leaving her depleted.
… AND INTO OLD AGE
Because of omega-3’s many functions in the human body and health support – brain function, anti-inflammatory action (it affects the same enzyme as does aspirin), heart and bone health and disease prevention – supplementation is beneficial at any age.
As one advances in age, one of the most important ways to prevent all types of cognitive decline, including the terrifying Alzheimer’s Disease, is to supplement omega-3. The better the omega-3 levels, the less the brain shrinks in size and weight, a process which happens in Alzheimer's and other dementias. High levels of omega-3 in the eye also protect against loss of vision.
Of course, there are many factors which contribute to cognitive decline. You may be helped by a ketogenic diet and/or various supplements. Check your homocysteine levels and lower them if necessary by taking an active-form B complex. Take antioxidants and keep away from sugar (Alzheimer’s Disease has been called type 3 diabetes). Keep your mind active by learning new things.
WHAT KIND OF OMEGA-3?
Any product containing omega-3 could help, but fish oil contains the two active omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA (with 5 and 6 bends). Plant products like flax oil have only omega-3 in the form of linolenic acid (3 bends), which must be transformed to EPA and DHA, a process which is inconsistent and uncertain. When you ingest fish oil, the fish have already converted linolenic acid from plankton to the active ingredients and are therefore more powerful.
I’ll be happy to guide you or those you love. You may book a consultation to receive specific guidance. Contact me now at 052-3794092 (Dolev).
