Grandma was right. She knew fish was brain food and she didn’t need a science degree to figure it out.

Every day there seems to be good news about fish oil and how it benefits your brain. Scientists have proven that fish oil benefits the brain from a baby in the womb to an elderly person suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Omega 3 DHA and EPA fatty acids constitute about 70% of a baby’s developing brain. These fatty acids are essential for a baby’s brain development and emotional wellbeing. The optimum development of a baby’s brain and emotional wellbeing depends on these fatty acids. And the only way a baby can get this nutrition is from its mother’s diet. That’s why the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that all pregnant and nursing mothers take 1200 mg of DHA and EPA on a daily basis.

Yet, the average pregnant or nursing woman gets only about 18% of the NIH recommended amount. Actually, just 3% of the women surveyed were getting the omega 3 they needed in their diet.

If the fetus doesn’t get the DHA and EPA it needs from the mother’s diet, the baby takes what it can get from the mother’s brain. Depleted DHA and EPA is why many women lose almost 3% of their brain mass during nine months of pregnancy. A lot of experts believe this depletion may be the major reason for post-partum depression.

If Mom’s not fixing fish for dinner, there’s a pretty good chance the rest of her children are also suffering from DHA and EPA deficiencies. And, according to recent research, the result of omega 3 lack is ADD and ADHD, with all of their behavior, social and learning problems.

But a British research team recently reported that omega 3 fish oil supplements can significantly reduce ADD, ADHD and dyslexia symptoms. After six months of omega 3 capsule supplementation, children with behavioral, social and learning difficulties tested six months higher in spelling and a year higher in reading skills.

Eating fish two or three times a week and/or taking a daily omega 3 fish supplement with DHA and EPA is good for adult brains too.

While at the same time, these conditions have been significantly treated and relieved by eating more fish and/or taking daily fish oil supplements.

Fish oil can also be a big help for baby boomers as they age over the next twenty years if they don’t want to join the five million Americans who already have Alzheimer’s disease. According to recent studies, people who eat the most fish have much lower risk of both Alzheimer’s (39%) and dementia (47%).

Did you know that eating fish just once a month can reduce the risk of stroke or “brain attack.” According to the Harvard Medical School, eating fish just once a month could reduce the risk of ischemic (blood clot) stroke by as much as 44%.

If you want the best for your brain, listen to Grandma.Eating fish on a regular basis and taking fish oil supplements is one of the best things you can do for your brain. So be smart and listen to Grammy.