By David Kahng

When you think of fish oil what comes to your mind? The idea of a nasty fishy taste?

When you think of fish oil what comes to your mind? The idea of a nasty fishy taste? After you read this article I'll bet that the next time someone mentions fish oil, you'll think of brain food!

One of the best ways to obtain DHA is by taking fish oil. DHA is so important for the proper development of the fetal brain that any deficiency will result in lower birth weight and brain size. DHA is also essential to the healthy development of the retina. It is important that mothers get adequate amount of DHA in their diet during the last trimester, because 70 percent of infant brain cell development takes place during this time.

Studies have shown that DHA can improve the sleep pattern in infants and that low DHA intake in infants can lead or contribute to Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Dr. Michael Lyon, MD, author of Is Your Child's Brain Starving? Food not Drugs for Life and Learning, states: Eighty percent of kids with ADHD have serious deficiencies in omega-3 fatty acids.

Fish for Brains

DHA is also helpful for adults. Studies have shown that mothers with low DHA levels are more likely to develop post-partum depression. Dr. Robert Friedland, MD, of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine says that fish are part of a healthy diet that will protect against a number of age-related conditions, including Alzheimer's.

The research is in and we know that it's important to ingest an adequate amount of fish oil, in particular DHA. Certainly, eating fatty fish a couple of times a week is an ideal way to achieve this.
However, this is not always practical with our fast-paced lifestyle and unfortunately, salmon, tuna, halibut and other large fish may contain too many heavy metals for us to eat them on a regular basis. Fortunately, several companies manufacture high-DHA fish oil. Look for a brand with a natural lemon flavour as these do not have the fishy taste. Also, children, mothers and seniors should use a brand that contains vitamin D, which is essential for the development and protection of bones.