omega-3 fats including DHA, is correlated with greater total
brain volume over time.^19 But don’t write off DHA’s usual
sidekick, EPA: inflammation is a well-known BDNF brain
drain, and EPA is a powerful inflammation quencher.
Un-jamming Brain Gridlock . . . with
Fat
Throughout my childhood, I had difficulties that seem
like common complaints today: I was easily distracted and
had a hard time sitting still and focusing on my classwork.
As a result, I struggled to get good grades. At one point, my
school’s guidance counselor even suggested to my parents
that they send me to see a psychologist. (Look at me now,
Mrs. Capello!)
Grievances aside, the troubles I had fall under the
domain of executive function, a broad set of cognitive
abilities that includes planning, decision making, attention,
and self-control. Executive function is so far-reaching in
day-to-day life that some experts think it’s more important
to success than IQ or even inherent academic talent.^20 And
luckily, research has highlighted a role for dietary fat in
optimizing it.
Like all areas of cognitive function, executive function
relies on the healthy functioning of neurotransmitters. As
such, it may be particularly affected by omega-6-to-omega-
3 imbalances. Researchers have observed that children with
lower intakes of omega-6 fats perform significantly better in