WHICH FAT FROM THE SEA WILL KEEP YOU SMARTER? In this trial of omega 3 fatty acids (ALA, EPA, DHA) and cognitive function in middle aged (35-54) individuals, higher levels of DHA, the higher the levels of DHA, the better the mental performance. The ultimate source of DHA is primarily algae (hence finding it in “fish oils”–the fish eat the algae). It is extremely high in mother’s milk vs cow’s milk (30x higher), and infant formulas are only now starting to add it in.
Overall, a diet higher in DHA (mostly from cold water, wild caught fish, unless you actually like to gnaw on algae..) will be protective to the brain from the womb to the grave. Unfortunately, the standard American diet is almost completely devoid of omega 3 fatty acids. As an FYI–if you don’t have a Costco membership, get one. They have all kinds of cost-efficient, wild caught frozen seafood.