These 2 Essential Nutrients May Ward Off Memory Loss and Boost Brain Health
This story was sponsored by Eggland's Best.
When it comes to getting older, memory loss and declining cognitive function are two of the biggest fears many of us face. Luckily, there are some tasty ways to protect our noggins as we age — especially for all you omelet fans out there.
But really, it doesn’t matter how you prefer your eggs; they’re packed with plenty of perks for your brain, whether sunny-side-up or hard boiled. However, you can give yourself even more benefits by getting a little picky when it comes to the brand of eggs you choose. Eggland’s Best® produces amped up eggs thanks to the fortified feed their chickens enjoy with a plethora of helpful nutrients. In particular, two of the omega-3s found inside their eggs happen to be great for cognitive health: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
Scrambling up even just one Eggland’s Best egg will give you 63 mg of DHA, which is more than double the amount you’ll find in ordinary eggs (usually around 29 mg). The level of ALA goes even further with 60 mg, more than tripling the average 18 mg in ordinary eggs.
Alright, so why should you care about those ample amounts of omega-3s? Let’s start with DHA: studies describe it as essential for maintaining healthy brain function in adults. “The inclusion of plentiful DHA in the diet improves learning ability, whereas deficiencies of DHA are associated with deficits in learning,” the researchers explain. “DHA is taken up by the brain in preference to other fatty acids.” They add that a decline in DHA levels as we get older has been linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
A more recent study explains that a diet rich in DHA helps improve several important brain functions, including signaling pathways, receptor systems, and membrane structures — all of which add up to healthier brains throughout all stages of our lives.
As for ALA, the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation cites pre-clinical studies which claim it can protect brain cells from conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. Although they note that results have been mixed and more research is needed, there have been promising findings when it comes to the connection between those battling both Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes.
A study published by the Journal of Neurodegenerative Disease explains that most diabetic patients have insulin resistance that is associated with a link to a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. After splitting a group of more than 100 Alzheimer’s patients into those with diabetes and those without, and administering 600 mg of ALA to each, they tested for cognitive performance. Each group showed an improvement, but the results were even more significant for those with diabetes, plus the added benefit of better insulin resistance.
If all of that isn’t convincing enough, you can also count on getting plenty of brain-boosting vitamin A and lutein from Eggland’s Best eggs. The retinoic acid in vitamin A has shown to be important for storing and recovering memories. Meanwhile, lutein is well known for its eye health benefits. It’s also been found to help reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline.
We don’t know about you, but we’re definitely craving some quiche or fluffy scrambled eggs right about now. And don’t forget, you can get the same benefits cracking these Eggland’s Best eggs into your favorite baked goods, soups, and sauces, too! Look for them in the refrigerated aisle at your local grocery store or supermarket.
This story was sponsored by Eggland’s Best.
