I'm four days out from back surgery and can sit up long enough to post on my blog tonight. I've been reading more about the omega-3 fatty acids and especially about DHA, otherwise known as docosahexanoic acid. DHA was discussed in great detail at a recent meeting of the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) and the article in the May 29, 2010 issue of "The Economist" led me to a book, "The Omega-3 Connection" written by a Harvard medical School professor and an online medical article on "Fish Oil: Getting to the Heart of It."
There's an amazing amount of new information coming out about the importance of the Omega 3s and maybe DHA in particular (The other Omega 3 of interest is EPA, eicosapentanoic acid). This may take three or four posts to cover, but let's start with some general statements. DHA, according to one researcher who presented at the May RSM meeting, may explain why dolphins, which weigh about the same as zebras, have brains nearly five times as large. It seems to play a role in a number of significant mental health diseases and low levels of DHA appear to be associated with a higher risk of suicide. The Department of Defense in the United States is paying attention to that last factor and plans to supplement the diets of its troops with Omega 3s.
The problem links to our current diets, high in omega 6s, low in omega 3s. It's time for a change, both in diet and in supplements. More later on the topic.