Healthy Brain Fitness Tip # 6

Your Brain Needs The Right Kinds of Fats

Most of your brain is fat - but not the kind that comes from hamburgers or Twinkies.

Even though most of us have been taught that fat is not good for us, without the right kind of fat our brains can’t function; our memory and thinking become impaired, we get depressed and are even at higher risk for dementia and Parkinson’s.

Studies have shown those who eat excess animal fat or hydrogenated fats (as found in margarine, shortening and processed foods) have a higher risk of dementia. On the other hand, increasing your intake of fish and other sources of omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of dementia.

So get an brain oil change by cutting out "trans" or hydrogenated fats (read labels) and fried foods, and by reducing animal fats from meats and dairy products. Increase your intake of wild fish, sardines, herring, olive oil, nuts, flax and other seeds.

Your brain will thank you for it.