For most of recorded history, the function of the brain remained a mystery. Ancient Egyptians, attributing little necessity to the organ, discarded the brain before mummifying a corpse. Many in the ancient world, like Aristotle, believed that the heart was the seat of thought. It was not until the groundbreaking work of anatomist Vesalius in the 16th Century that these misconceptions were called into question.

The brain is now understood to be responsible for consciousness and thought. In tandem with the central nervous system, the brain controls autonomic functions in the body, like respiration and heartbeat. It regulates and produces many hormones, and is responsible for cognitive processes like perception, memories and imagination. As you can see, the essence of who we are as living beings is now attributed to our brains.

The brain never stops developing. Beginning its formation just three weeks after conception, the brain is constantly reshaping and revising itself based on experience and the types of stimulation that we provide for it.

A child is born with over 100 billion brain cells, or neurons. These neurons form connections called synapses, which make up the wiring of the brain. The brain's growth is largely due to changes in the individual neurons, which largely resemble trees. Think of each brain cell like a tiny sapling that gradually begins to sprout hundreds of long, branching dendrites. The dendrites function much like people's arms in a relay race. They accept and transmit information packets throughout the brain, at speeds approaching 270 mph!

The first three years of a child's life is absolutely crucial to brain development and will ultimately determine the eventual strength and function of the wiring system. At eight months of age, an infant may have anywhere up to 1,000 trillion synapses. By age ten, that number decreases to 500 trillion synapses. This is part of the reason why young children can learn several languages simultaneously without an accent, while adults struggle with audio tapes and clumsy tongues.

In the final analysis, the number of synapses in the brain is primarily determined by a child's early experiences. The brain operates on a "use it or lose it" policy. Only the connections that are frequently used and stimulated will be retained, while the remainder is pruned away and discarded.

FEED YOUR HEAD

We always hear about the ways we can take care of our bodily organs with the foods we eat. When we think about our diet and lifestyle, we can't help but think about the effect our choices have on our heart, liver and kidneys. But what about the brain? When it comes to our diet, the brain has traditionally been the most overlooked organ, when the brain is in fact greatly affected by our dietary choices. A mature human brain uses up to 20% of the energy used by the body. As you can see, it's time we start using our heads to help nourish our brains.

Next to water, lipids (or fats) constitute the largest percentage of the brain’s composition (between 10–12%). Omega-3 fatty acids, composed of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), are among the most beneficial brain nutrients. Of the two, the most essential asset to the brain is DHA, the chief polyunsaturated fat in the central nervous system. DHA is believed to have a direct effect on the brain’s chemistry, development and functioning. The richest source of Omega-3 fatty acids is found in fish and fish oil.

There are several ways that the Omega-3's found in fish oil can help maintain the brain. Here are the highlights, based upon recent scientific research …

HELPS MAINTAIN A POSITIVE STATE OF MIND

DHA helps to regulate serotonin, a neurotransmitter considered to be responsible for our "feeling good." Chronically sad people tend to have low levels of serotonin. Research suggests populations that consume large amounts of fish have lower numbers of people that are chronically sad. Also, a recent Australian study confirmed that the most severely depressed participants had imbalances of fatty acids in their cell membranes and in their blood. Establishing a healthy balance of fatty acids is thought to have a positive effect on your mood.

ENCOURAGES CALM THINKING

The expression of stress-induced aggression has proven to be less likely if your brain is under the influence of fish oil, according to an extensive Japanese study. In a test of 41 adult students, those taking 1.5 – 1.8 grams of DHA (in fish oil) for three months were less likely to become more socially aggressive at a time of severe mental stress: final exams. On the other side of the study, students taking placebos displayed rather explosive moments of social aggression. This may also explain why fish oil is good for heart health. Stress hormones triggered by anger and hostility can constrict the arteries and accelerate the formation of blockages. Fish oil is said to suppress the release of such detrimental hormones.

STIMULATES YOUNG MINDS AND ENHANCES DESIRABLE BEHAVIOR

Fetuses and toddlers must get enough Omega-3 oils for optimal brain development. In a study of premature infants, those fed breast milk had eight points higher IQ at age eight than those fed standard infant formula. This suggests that the higher amounts of DHA in breast milk may contribute to superior intelligence. Doctors also advise soon-to-be moms to integrate Omega-3's into their diet, especially during the last trimester where most crucial brain growth takes place. Studies also show that boys with lower levels of Omega-3 fat have a higher incidence of behavioral problems like hyperactivity, impulsivity, anxiousness and temper tantrums.

It's simple – brain cells need DHA to function at their most optimal levels. If our diets are low in this type of fat and the brain cells don't receive the proper amounts, our brains will suffer. Once supplied with the required amounts, the brain can function much better. Think of the brain’s activity as one big relay race. Thought travels in the form of electrical signals through the brain, getting passed like a baton from one neuron to the next. For a signal to enter a neuron, the signal needs to pass through the walls of the neuron, known as cell membranes. These walls consist entirely of fats and 20% of these are essential fatty acids like Omega-3's. Omega-3's are thought to strengthen our synapses, making it easier for signals to cross the gap between brain cells.