Fish: The Ultimate Brain Food?

Omega-3’s and Other Antioxidants

For eons, humans have been attracted to the ocean’s, and to large bodies of water. Water is the essence of life so this is not surprising. However, researchers believe that consumption of fish, and sea veggies may have been a key factor in the evolution of the fantastic brain of homo sapiens.
The EPA and DHA molecules in fish are so important as a building block of myelin, and neurons, and they also reduce oxidative stress in our brains, and bodies. There are also vegan sources to get many of these nutrients.  Check out our Full Aricle on Vegan Supplementation.
For more info on these nutrients check out our Full Article on Omega-3’s and our Full Article on DHA

The American Heart Association and Omega-3’s

The American Heart Association and many other organizations recommend at least two servings of fatty fish per week to reduce the risk of heart disease because of the research on omega-3’s.
Fish appears to have many other health-giving nutrients besides just omega-3’s especially fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, etc. There many antioxidants, vitamins, and even rare minerals found in fish that appear to have far-reaching benefit.

Salmon: An Antioxidant Powerhouse

Salmon has a lot of omega-3’s in it which already neutralize oxidative stress, but on top of that there are also rare nutrients like vitamin B12, vitamin D3, and vitamin E. These nutrients have the ability to power up our immune system, reduce inflammation, and even give one more energy.
The root cause of many degenerative diseases and side-effects of aging are related back to not enough antioxidants, and too much oxidative stress. A little bit of oxidative stress is good. However, chronic unchecked inflammation and oxidative stress can take a huge toll on our bodies.

Astaxanthin (as-tuh-ZAN-thin)

The red pigment in salmon is called astaxanthin. It has been researched for its ability for it to protect against UV radiation from the sun from inside of your body! That’s right. It is so potent at protecting against oxidative stress that it reduced the effects of sunburn against a control.
When astaxanthin was taken with collagen, the combination was able to improve sun damaged skin which seems to suggest that we could rejuvenate skin that has already sustained damage in addition to adding more protection from future damage.

Concerning Cardiovascular Issues

Salmon has significant amounts CoQ10 in it naturally. In our Full Article About Reactive Oxygen Species and our Full Article on ATP, we talk about how powerful CoQ10 is for both reducing oxidative stress and increasing our cellular energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
So many cardiovascular concerns arise out of too much oxidative stress left unchecked over time, and now we know which foods are rich in antioxidants. Usually, the bright pigments in our food are a big clue as to the antioxidants inside.
Wild-caught salmon have a deeper pigment and a preferable fatty acid composition over farm-raised salmon. Salmon from pristine fisheries also have a much lower load of toxins compared to their farm-raised counterparts.

Why Wild-Caught is Best

The wild-caught fish have more nutrients and fewer toxins than farm-raised fish so it is all around better for your health. They also have more omega-3’s when they are wild-caught which will support a healthy cardiovascular system and nervous system.
There is also evidence to suggest that a diet high in omega-3’s may be helpful for insulin sensitivity. Salmon is also a wonderful source of dietary choline. Choline helps our liver mobilize and transport cholesterol.
Having low levels of choline will eventually cause liver issues like NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease), and steatosis. Our body can produce some of its own choline, but as we age, our body produces less of its own choline. This brings us to the next topic in this article.

Choline is Thinking Fuel

Dietary choline converts into acetylcholine which is a neurotransmitter responsible for focus, learning, and memory. Acetylcholine allows us to focus on one task for a prolonged period of time. Click here to read our Full Article on Choline
In combination with substances like CoQ10, that increase cellular ATP, we really start to optimize the way our brain functions. I also eat salmon to get a good serving of vitamin D3 which has been connected to enhanced mood and enhanced immune function.

DMAE: Dimethylaminoethanol

Many kinds of fish also have DMAE which increases levels of acetylcholine in our brains. This compound also helps prevent toxins like lipofuscin from building up in our brains which is one of the biggest factors in age-related cognitive decline, and age-related macular degeneration.
DMAE also allows nutrients to enter our neurons more easily so it allows more nutrients to come into our brain, and more toxins to leave our brain all at the same time. 

Antioxidant Synergy

Selenium, vitamin E, and vitamin C are connected to the production of glutathione which many researchers call “the master antioxidant”. Glutathione has been connected to enhancing cognition, and even protecting against cellular damage on a genetic level.
Areas with more selenium in the soil have lower incidences of cancer, and some believe that this could be caused in part by an upregulation of glutathione. Brazil nuts grow in jungles as wild-heirloom foods like cacao (cacao is what chocolate is made from), and they are very high in selenium
Vitamin C and sulfur are also very important in the creation of glutathione so broccoli, salmon, and garlic are all a fantastic powerhouse for creating more glutathione in your liver when they are combined. All of these delicious foods work synergistically like medicine and vitamins all in one.
Higher levels of glutathione have been associated with less oxidative stress, less cellular damage, enhanced immune function, and many more benefits related to longevity.

What About the Rest of The Fish?

I recommend eating as wide of a variety of food as possible, because each different food or ingredient on Earth has thousands of different compounds inside of them, and we have yet to discover all of them. We can tell when our food is not of the highest quality.
We can feel it, see it, smell it, and taste it. When looking at Ahi Tuna, we are looking for the deepest red. For salmon, we are looking for the deepest orange. This happens most often when our food comes from places that have very little mercury or chemical pollution.
We want a variety of high-quality foods to consume with diverse micronutrient profiles. We also want to be mindful of how we feel with each type of food that we consume. One food that could be my saving grace could make you feel sick because we are all different.

Good Clean Food

We can universally agree that food grown on pristine lands, or caught in pristine environments are loaded down with nutrients. They also have the best appearance, smell, and flavor to match. This extends to wild-harvested herbs, spices, berries, fungi,  and more.
We have the opportunity to eat the finest, exotic, ingredients from the most pristine environments on Earth to make eating healthy, fun, and delicious again. Taste the rainbow when it comes to your food, and find out what food lifestyle works best for you.
You can get these high-quality products delivered right to your door with companies like US Wellness Meats, and others. Our favorite fish products come from Vital Choice because they select fisheries that are very clean.
Their products are tested to have very low in mercury which is a huge issue with most fish. They also fish sustainably in order to preserve the fisheries for the future.

Shop From the Companies that You Believe are Building a Better World Today

The owner is a friend, and he really believes in giving us the best products at the best price possible. I understand that we want to eat healthy on a budget. We also live fast lives where we don’t want to cook.
We recommend getting very high-quality, canned fish in BPA-free cans that are tested to be low in toxins! I never thought high-quality fish could come in a can. However, one bite of Vital Choice’s Ventresca Tuna Bellies, and you’ll understand. You can also get fresh fish in frozen packages, as well as jerky and even more options of canned salmon.
We can just add this nutrient superfood to a salad with some crucifers and brightly pigmented veggies and fruits, and we are on our way to feeling great.

How to Know When to Take a Supplement

If eating fish is not your thing, then eat chicken or duck eggs, or just get a fish oil supplement. However, always go to food first, and invest your dollars in companies that you believe in.
We recommend you invest your money in businesses that you think are helping the world, and doing so sustainably. Vital Choice is one of those rare companies that are actually doing their best for the world and for humanity and we are delighted to share them with you.

Here are some of our favorite fish oils below: