The scientific journal Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, studying women in over two dozen countries, concluded that those women whose breast milk had a greater content of the omega-3 fatty acid called DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) had children whose academic test scores were better compared to those women whose breast milk had lower levels.

They also found that the Omega-6 fatty acid LA (linoleic acid) was associated with poorer test scores. Lead researcher S.J.C. Gaulin stated that “the fatty acid profile of the average mother’s milk in a given country is a better predictor of the average cognitive performance in that country than the conventional socioeconomic measures people use.”
The dietary sources that would enhance a person’s beneficial DHA would come from fish, nuts and seeds. Diets higher in soybean and corn promote too much LA -the omega6 fatty acid.
Dr. Gaulin further explains, ” Unfortunately our current agribusiness-based diets provide very low levels of DHA… Thanks to two heavily government subsidized crops, corn and soybeans, the average U.S. diet is heavy in the bad omega-6 fatty acids and far too light on the Omega 3s. So our message is that not only is it advisable to increase omega-3 intake, it’s highly advisable to decrease omega-6.Mayonnaise is, in general, the most omega-6 laden food in the average person’s refrigerator. If you have too much of one, omega-6, and too little of the other- omega 3, you’re going to end up paying a price cognitively.”

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