Omega-3 for Good Brain Health

In my naturopathic experience, attention deficit disorders in children, adolescents and adults have become a common problem. Every day, I am asked for an alternative to medication. I often hear, 'Before I go down that road, I want to make sure I've tried everything.

First of all, if you go back in time, it was rare to hear about this disorder before the late 90s. We were not yet overwhelmed by the computer world. Children still had the reflex to go out and play sports to expend their excess energy. Otherwise, it was the parents who encouraged them to do so.

What we used to accomplish in a few days, we now do in a few hours. Our agendas are overloaded with obligations and activities that no longer allow for relaxation. Stress is at the ceiling. The parental model or even the couple is stressed, anxious and a lack of attention and love is felt and is reflected in the psychosocial relationships by symptoms of bullying, damaged self-esteem, etc.

Ultimately, unresolved problems at home will spill over to school and become compounded with the consequences of drastic ultimatums and no other options.

We cut corners to get to the evening. The fatigue is such that it is difficult to think and retain important information. The food becomes more refined with an overconsumption of sugar and a lack of vitamins and minerals. We resort to more pre-prepared meals to save time.

In turn, this affects digestion. The intestine and its internal environment (the microbiota), known to be our second brain, is disturbed. The boat is adrift.^{3, 5}

Omega-3 for brain health: better understanding for better action

Important links that prevent the brain from functioning properly:

• A poor diet (too refined and without fiber)
• Food intolerances that show symptoms of irritated intestines
• An imbalance of the intestinal flora, disturbed by a refined diet and by repeated antibiotics
• Adrenal glands exhausted by chronic stress
• Chronic stress releases excess cortisol and contributes to altering the secretion of neurotransmitters
• Excess cortisol that disrupts short-term memory
• Inflammation
• etc.^{1, 2, 3, 4}

Neurotransmitters

Effects of the balance of the brain by the neurotransmitters :

• Acetylcholine acts on memory
• Dopamine brings power and energy to the brain
• Serotonin is our happy hormone
• Gaba is the neurotransmitter that helps with organization (sociability) and promotes relaxation and sleep.

These neurotransmitters are messengers that act without us being aware of it and are extremely accurate. When we lack them, an imbalance sets in which can be expressed by depression, lack of attention or even an inability to relax or sleep, etc..^{3, 6}

Fish oil and the brain

The good fats (or essential fatty acids) that come from food are part of the composition of the cell membranes of the brain and ensure their quality and flexibility. These membranes play an important role in the communication of information. A flexible membrane allows the messengers emitted by neurotransmitters to be captured.

High doses of fish oil promote a significant release of serotonin, the hormone that helps us fight stress and brings us joy.^{1, 3}

The omega-3 for good health of the brain : Neuromega from Alterra / Herbasanté

Neuromega from Alterra / Herbasanté is a fish oil rich in omega-3 with a concentration of DHA (docosa-hexamenoic acid).

In this oil we find an indispensable food for the brain, DHA:

• The brain is composed of 40% DHA and the tissues that contain the highest concentration of DHA are the retina of the eye 60% (essential for the processing of visual impulses)
• Advantages of this oil improves mood
• Good ability to get into action
• Deficiency has critical effects on neural development and behavior, including changes in learning, memory, hearing and neurotransmission
• Regulates many cellular and synaptic transport functions
• The brain depends on phospholipids (phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) and phosphatidylinositol (cell membrane fluidity)
• Has a positive effect on the fluidity and permeability of membranes
• Inhibits amyloid plaque in Alzheimer's disease
• Essential for fetal maturation and infant development
• Helps prevent postpartum depression (because the mother transfers DHA to the fetus during gestation and to the baby during breastfeeding)
• 2 grams/day lowers triglyceride levels by 20% (a parameter of cholesterol levels)
• Increases HDL (good cholesterol) and decreases LDL (bad cholesterol)
• Helps to support brain functions in the case of certain diseases such as Alzheimer's
• Improves learning ability⁵

Neuromega, an omega-3 that keeps the mind sharp

Neuromega (in the Alterra line from Herbasanté) offers an omega-3 (mackerel, sardine and anchovy oil) that contains the highest concentration on the market in 20 years. With a small concentration of EPA/EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, which would have beneficial effects on mood and inflammation). A formula presented in liquid form, therefore easy to customize the dosage. You can find Neuromega for children and for adults in two flavors (orange or cranberry-raspberry).

Herbasanté is a family-owned company created in 1984 in Montreal and is a founding member of the renowned Canadian Homeopathic Pharmaceutical Association (CHPA)

The philosophy of Herbasanté is to lead the way towards a healthy and natural lifestyle.^{5, 7}

Feeding the brain makes the mind bright and happy!

References :

1. Arsenault Céline, My child's nervous balanceEd. Le Dauphin Blanc, 2005, 210 pages

2. Arsenault Céline, Natural Care Guide for the FamilyLe Dauphin Blanc, 2015, 388 pages

3. Sears Dr. Barry, The Omega Dieted. de L'Homme, 2002, 405 pages

4. Servan-Schreiber David, HealingRobert Laffont, 2003, 301 pages

5. https://www.herbasante.ca/fr/

6. My Nervous Profile, Naturopathic Practical Guide

7. https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/Nutrition/PalmaresNutriments/Fiche.aspx?doc=acides_gras_omega_3_epa_nu