<p><span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial;">A new study suggests -&nbsp; Omega-3 fatty acids i.e. DHA is generally associated with a greater capacity for selective and sustained attention in adolescents while ALA is associated with lower impulsivity.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;"><b>What are Omega-3 fatty acids?</b></span><br></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">The omega-3 fatty acids are types of fat known as essential fats. There are three types f omega-3 fatty acids:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">1. Docosahexenoic acid(DHA)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">2. Alpha-linolenic acid(ALA)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">3. Eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;"><b>&nbsp;What are DHA and ALA?</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;"><b><br></b></span></p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<img src="/media/django-summernote/2022-09-29/231333c5-e696-4232-8641-be67076a69f9.webp" style="width: 381px; height: 252.023px;"><br></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 18px;">Docosahexenoic acid(DHA) </span></b><span style="font-size: 18px;">plays a vital role in the development of eye and nerve tissues. It also decreases the risks of heart disease by decreasing the thickness of blood and reducing swelling. It is also used for increasing memory skills and helps in overall child development.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;"><b>Sources of DHA:</b></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">Fish</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">Salmon</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">Chia seed</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">Sardine</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">Flax seed</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">Fish oil</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">Tuna</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br></span></p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<img src="/media/django-summernote/2022-09-29/404a5845-477d-4a53-8691-126f1e0fdc76.webp" style="width: 302px; height: 241.6px;"></p><p><br></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 18px;">Alpha-linolenic acid(ALA)&nbsp;</span></b><span style="font-size: 18px;"> is essential for normal human growth and development. It reduces heart disease by maintaining normal pumping. It may also help in reducing blood clots.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;"><b>Sources of ALA:</b></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">Walnuts</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">Spinach</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">Tofu</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">Brussel sprouts</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">Avocado</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">Peanut</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;"><br></span><span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial;">&nbsp;There was previous research that proved the</span><b style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"> health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">. The health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids are:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">1. Heart health</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">2. Mental health</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">3. Eye health</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">4. Infant development</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;"><b>About research:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">In adolescence, many developments and changes occur in the brain. Overall human development is directly related to the brain. These changes generally play an important role in controlling attention and behavior. Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids are considered important for the proper development of the brain. DHA is the most abundant fatty acid in the prefrontal area of the brain.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">The study was conducted to validate how DHA and ALA play an important role in increasing attention. For this purpose, a group of 332 adolescents from different schools in Barcelona underwent computerized tests that measured their reactions in terms of their attention period and whether they can pay sustainable attention, and their impulse behavior. The adolescent participants also answered a series of questions based on their diets. Also, their blood samples were tested to measure their red blood cell levels of DHA and ALA.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">The results show that higher levels of DHA are associated with greater selective and sustained attention whereas ALA was not associated with attention but was associated with low impulsivity. Researcher Julvez said that the study indicates that dietary DHA plays a role in various attention-requiring tasks. But further studies are needed to confirm its cause and effect.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">This study adds to the study which proved the benefits of consuming fatty fish during brain development as it is the main source of DHA.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br></p><div><br></div>