It is no secret that sugar is unhealthy. From high blood sugar to diabetes and heart disease, a diet high in sugar has far-reaching effects. But did you know that sugar is also bad for your brain? A recent study published in the Journal of Physiology found an interesting connection between a diet low in omega-3s and high in the sugar fructose, and poor memory and brain function. The researchers stated, “Eating a high-fructose diet over the long term alters your brain’s ability to learn and remember information. But adding omega-3 fatty acids to your meals can help minimize the damage.”

In the animal study, one group was fed a diet low in omega-3 fatty acids, and another group was fed a diet high in omega-3s from flaxseed and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). The omega-3 deficient animals were found to have poor memory function when compared to those fed a diet rich in omega-3s. The negative effects of a low omega-3 diet were exacerbated when high amounts of fructose were added to the diet. In the group receiving sufficient omega-3s, however, a high fructose diet did not have the same negative effects on memory and neuron function, suggesting that omega-3s have a protective effect against the brain dysfunction caused by a high fructose diet.

It is well known that a high sugar diet increases blood sugar and insulin resistance in the bloodstream. This is the hallmark of the metabolic syndrome, an increasingly common condition that precedes type 2 diabetes. This study suggests that not only can a high sugar diet have effects in the bloodstream, but that it can also have similar effects in the brain. The study found disrupted insulin receptor signaling in the hippocampus, an area of the brain associated with memory function. Insulin and fructose are both known to cross the blood-brain barrier, where they can interrupt neuron function.

The findings of this study are not surprising. In fact, Alzheimer’s disease is also known as type 3 diabetes. The fact is, the amount of sugar—and even carbohydrates, for that matter—in the Standard American Diet (SAD) is alarmingly high. ReNew Life founder Brenda Watson will be debuting a new PBS show in the fall on this very topic. The show, called The Heart of Perfect Health will air nationwide in November. Stay tuned to our blog for more information on show times.

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Due to busy schedules, fast food and ever-changing tastes kids can sometimes miss out on essential nutrients in the diet. In fact, some natural health experts believe that there are certain nutritional deficiencies that exist below the surface of common learning, behavioral and developmental issues in children. These types of children’s health challenges are on the rise, affecting an estimated 17% percent of children today. While some children require medical and pharmaceutical solutions for their issues, addressing key nutritional deficiencies may be a smart complementary strategy.

One such nutritional deficiency in our children’s diets today is the severe lacking in essential omega-3 fats, and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) in particular. DHA is a primary structural component of the human brain and retina. Research shows that DHA aids in the optimal development and function of the brain, eyes, and central nervous system especially during childhood. This essential fat is consumed at very low levels in a typical North American diet, and it’s easy to see why. DHA and omega-3 fats in general can primarily be found in fatty fish, seaweeds and green leafy vegetables – not exactly every kid’s favorite foods. Low dietary DHA isn’t just a problem for children who suffer from behavioral or learning disabilities; it can affect all children and may even negatively impact their proper growth and development.

National guidelines today recommend 2 or more servings of fatty fish per week to make up for the dietary DHA deficit, but it can be daunting to try to fit fatty fish into a kid-friendly meal plan. Whether it’s personal taste, limited availability or the increasing concern about the high levels of mercury in fish, more and more consumers are turning to supplemental fish oils rather than heading to the fish counter at the grocery store. So if supplementation is more your kid’s speed, the National Institutes of Health guidelines suggest that 2-3 year old children consume a minimum of 145 mg of DHA per day, 4-6 year olds should consume at least 200 mg and children 7 years old and older should consume at least 220 mg of daily DHA.

Luckily, ReNew Life has perfected fish oil for kids making supplementation a cinch. The new Norwegian Gold Kid’s DHA is a nutrition-packed, tiny, chewable softgel with a fruit punch flavor that kids love, without the sugar of typical kid’s fish oil supplements. Taste is by far the most important factor for picky kids, but parents will appreciate the optimized level of DHA. Not only does each serving provide 200 mg of essential DHA, it also provides 500 IU of vitamin D3 for healthy bones and the antioxidant astaxanthin. Each batch of Norwegian Gold Kid’s DHA fish oil is also independently tested by IFOS and certified a 5-star rated fish oil, meeting or exceeding all world standards for overall quality, potency and freshness.

So the days of pinching noses to get fish oil down are over. Parents now have the choice of the best-tasting, highest potency DHA supplement for their kids coupled with famous ReNew Life Norwegian Gold fish oil quality.

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