Food first. Always.

Why? Mother Nature has done a remarkable job of packaging the right mix of nutrients in foods to boost our health.

Many of the studies done on the relationship between food and health come from observation, i.e. looking at groups of people who have little incidence of a certain disease such as Alzheimer's then digging into what may be responsible for the difference.  Factors include how people eat, what common foods they choose and which foods are missing. 

Brain Studies

Beyond meeting nutritional needs, the exciting next step is to determine whether eating certain foods can actually enhance the "life" of our brains.  There are enough early results from studies to suggest the answer is "yes."  But, those benefits are more than likely tied to how well we eat overall.  Simply adding blueberries and fish (or some other “brainy” food) to the mix won't do the trick.  Don't ignore the other pieces to the brain-boosting puzzle (see More Brain Tips).

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

Vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients do not work as well alone (taken as a supplement) as they do when they are eaten in their natural "food package." They work more effectively as a team to offer the greatest health benefit.

There is a synergy or combined effect among nutrients that makes the whole greater than the sum of its parts – instead of 1 + 1 equaling 2 – studies hint that this synergy may mean 1+ 1 can equal 3, perhaps even 4, and that 4 means more benefits to your body.

The research into brain health and nutrition is in its infancy.  There is much yet to be learned, which means much is not known about the impact of supplements.  If you are considering supplements, including fish oil supplements*, check with your health care provider for advice on whether to use them and in exactly what dose.

*Note: There are as many varieties of fish oil supplements as there are fish (at least it seems that way).  When choosing a supplement: