Science is now proving that Grandma was right all along. Eating fish is good for you brain.

Almost daily, fish oil and its relationship with optimum brain development and functioning seems to be in the news. And everyone benefits - from the baby in the womb to Alzheimer's victims.

A baby's brain is comprised of about 70% omega 3 DHA and EPA. These fatty acids are so essential for a baby's brain development and emotional well being that leading health authorities such as the National Institutes of Health believe all pregnant and lactating women should take omega 3 supplements on a daily basis - 1200 mg to be exact.

But only 3% of expectant and nursing mother's are getting the DHA and EPA their babies need. In fact, the average woman gets only about 18% of the NIH recommended amount.

For mothers who are not getting omega 3 supplements during pregnancy, this dietary deficiency of DHA and EPA puts both mother and baby at risk. If the fetus isn't getting what it needs for optimum brain development from the mother's diet, it takes what it can from the mother's brain. As a result, many women lose as much as 3% of their brain mass during pregnancy, which researchers think could be a major cause of post-partum blues.

This same dietary deficiency of omega 3 DHA and EPA affects the rest of the children in the family as well, not just mother and baby. Many experts believe a lack of DHA and EPA is linked to the learning and behavior problems of ADD and ADHD.

A team of British scientists, however, reported recently getting incredible results with a group of children with ADD, ADHD and dyslexia. After putting the children a fish oil supplementation program for just six months, the children's spelling score was six months higher and their reading skills were a year higher than their peers.

Children aren't the only ones who benefit from daily omega 3 supplements or eating fish a couple of times a week. DHA and EPA fatty acids also help to keep the adult brain healthy.

Omega 3 fish oil DHA and EPA deficiencies are linked to increased risk of migraine headaches, depression and bipolar disorder. While on the other hand, natural relief for these conditions has been linked to eating fish on a regular basis or taking fish oil supplements.

Five million Americans now suffer from Alzheimer's disease and the number will greatly increase as the baby boomer generation begins to age over the next twenty years. But fish oil can be a big help. Research shows that people who eat the most fish and have the highest DHA fatty acid levels reduce their risk of Alzheimer's by 39% and dementia by 47%.

The risk of ischemic (blood clot) stroke, also known as "brain attack," can be reduced by as much as 44% by just eating fish once a month. That was the finding a Harvard Medical School research study of 43,000 men over a 12 year period. In contrast, stroke is reduced by just 21% by taking a daily aspirin.

Eating fish on a regular basis (2 or 3 times a week) can be just as good for your heart as it can be for your brain. Research shows that fish consumption lowers risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure and arrhythmia (heart palpitations).

Fish also lowers risk of sudden cardiac death, which is the #1 killer in the States, by almost half (45%). Those are pretty good results, wouldn't you agree? That's why the American Heart Association recommends that healthy people eat fatty fish such as salmon at least twice a week.

So listen to Grandma's advice and get all of the omega 3 benefits that are available. Start eating more fish like salmon, herring and tuna and taking fish oil supplements. It's good for your brain and your heart.