Fixing your brain starts with fixing your body! - TLC The Littleton Clinic

Fixing your brain starts with fixing your body!

 

The brain is resilient and can recover and heal when given the right support. So, what is one thing you can do on a daily basis to support your brain health? Eat healthy fats.
Fats freak a lot of people out but trust us healthy fats won’t make you fat. Why? Because 60% of your brain is made up of DHA, an omega-3 fat found in fatty fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and algae. EPA is another important type of omega-3, and both of these fatty acids are critical for supporting brain function and mood, regulating metabolism, and preventing diabetes and inflammation. Your body needs fat to thrive!

What’s the recipe to optimize your healthy fat intake?

  1. Avoid omega-6-rich vegetable oils. Avoid oils such as sunflower, corn, soybean, peanut and cottonseed oil.
  2. Eat animal foods high omega-3s, especially seafood. Currently, the best dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids is from fish oils and fish. Choose the SMASH fish (salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring.
  3. Eat nuts and seeds. Walnuts, almonds, flaxseeds, and chia seeds, etc. provide the body with a third type of omega-3 fat, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is also an essential fat and is used for energy.
  4. Eat your veggies. Along with nuts and seeds, there are several plant sources of ALA. Such vegetables include some leafy greens like spinach and arugula, sprouted radishes, and cruciferous vegetables like brussel sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.

 

5 Comments

  • Alice Bush says:

    Hi,
    Do you have s recommendation for genetically high cholesterol?

    Thanks!
    Alice Bush
    Hildib@comcast.net

    • Savanna says:

      Alice,

      Hi, this is a great question! Focus on consuming your fats from plant based fats. These include: nuts and seeds, olive and avocado oils, avocados, etc. For more information give TLC The Littleton Clinic a call at 720.351.2411.

      -Savanna
      TLC Fitness Coordinator and Health Coach

  • Sheila Gains says:

    How to you feel about canola oil, olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil?

    Is natural peanut butter a good choice?

    • Savanna Klimesh says:

      Sheila,

      Hi, at TLC we love using olive, avocado and coconut oil. When using these oils for cooking make sure you cook them at the right smoke point.

      Avocado Oil can be cooked to 510 degrees F.
      Coconut Oil can be cooked to 350 degrees F.
      Olive Oil can be cooked to 410 degrees F.

      -Savanna Klimesh
      TLC Fitness Coordinator and Health Coach

    • Savanna says:

      Sheila,

      Yes, natural peanut butter is a good choice. Avoid any peanut butter that contains added sugar. Also, feel free to try other nut butters (almond, cashew, macadamia).

      -Savanna Klimesh
      TLC Fitness Coordinator and Health Coach

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