Research has shown that Omega-3 Fatty Acids boost levels of the neurotransmitter Serotonin in the brain, which is critical in maintenance of mental and physical health. Here’s a quick science lesson: Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that are responsible for controlling communication between and within neurons. To date, scientists have identified over 50 different neurotransmitters in the human brain. Without neurotransmitters, your brain would not be able to give direction to the rest of your body for functions as critical as a heart beat, touch sensitivity, and taking a breath. The neurotransmitter Serotonin is specifically responsible for controlling things like appetite, mood, emotion, body temperature, and onset of sleep. So, it’s easy to see why maintaining a proper chemical balance in the brain is important for treatment of mental health related issues, eating disorders, and insomnia. Also, those deprived of Omega-3 Fatty Acids for two or more generations could have offspring that cannot release Dopamine and Serotonin effectively.
Fortunately, there are natural ways to bring your Serotonin levels into balance! Safe and effective Omega-3 supplements (we prefer the Nutri-West brand – they also carry a children’s chewable version) when combined with a proper diet can significantly improve or eliminate suffering from symptoms caused by Bipolar, Depression, Insomnia, and much more.
In addition to an Omega-3 supplement, here is a list of foods to start incorporating into your diet:
- Fish (come back soon because we’ll be posting a list of fish that are safe from high levels of mercury and other contaminants)
- Flax Seeds
- Eggs (look for eggs marked with “Omega-3″ rich labels, chickens fed on a grain diet have a lower concentration)
- Walnuts
- Tofu (raw)
- Winter Squash (baked)
