Contrary to popular belief, your brain function and cognitive performance should not decrease with age. So you can take steps that influence your memory, and your cognitive functions and more, including monitoring your diet. Indeed, research has shown that this oil could destroy your physical and mental health!
Recent research has found negative effects of rapeseed oil consumption on the brain, particularly memory and learning ability. The study published in the journal Nature also showed that the consumption of rapeseed oil favored weight gain.
Canola oil negatively affects brain health and weight
The study was conducted by researcher Dr. Domenico Praticò of the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Praticò claimed that rapeseed oil is used because it is cheaper than other vegetable oils and is known to be healthy, but very few studies have examined this claim, particularly with respect to the brain.
Researchers used an animal model to evaluate the effect of rapeseed oil on the brains of mice.
At the end of the 6-month experiment, researchers observed that mice eating food with rapeseed oil had significantly more weight than mice that did not eat rapeseed oil. In addition, mice that had consumed rapeseed oil exhibited significant decreases in active memory as well as a decrease in postsynaptic density protein 94, a marker of synaptic integrity. The researchers found that rapeseed oil had a negative effect on health and concluded that the consumption of rapeseed oil does not show a beneficial effect on two important aspects of the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease that includes memory disorders as well as synaptic integrity.
Your brain needs healthy fats
The same researchers used a similar model to evaluate the effects of olive oil on the brain function of mice. In this study, no group gained weight and mice fed extra virgin olive oil had significantly better performance in active memory tests and the ability to learn.
Healthy fat is an essential component of the brain's structure, which is made up of almost 60% fat. It is not surprising that the brain needs quality fats to function optimally. Essential fatty acids are necessary but can not be synthesized by the body, and must therefore come from food sources.
Cooking almost all vegetable oils is problematic as they do not tolerate high heat. Healthier options for cooking include organic pasture butter, virgin coconut oil, and ghee (clarified butter). Olive oil and sesame oil add wonderful flavor and healthy fats to your food, but they should not be cooked at high temperatures.
Stimulate brain health naturally
It's never too late to strengthen your neurological health. Here are several strategies you can use to improve the health of your brain:
Vitamin D
There are strong links between low vitamin D levels in Alzheimer's patients and poor cognitive test scores. Optimal levels of vitamin D can protect brain cells by increasing the efficiency of glial cells in restoring damaged neurons.
Carotenoids
These antioxidant compounds are most often found in orange-colored vegetables, such as sweet potatoes and carrots. Some carotenoids, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, are found in dark green vegetables, namely kale and spinach, as well as egg yolk. Lutein and zeaxanthin are known for their role in vision health, cognitive health, and improved neural efficiency.
Diet
Reducing overall caloric and carbohydrate consumption, while increasing healthy fats, has a powerful effect on the health of your brain.
Increasing your omega-3 fat intake and reducing the consumption of processed vegetable oils also have a significant benefit for your brain.
Sleep
Sleep is essential not only for good health in general but especially for that of the brain. Restful sleep improves cognitive skills, improves memories, and solves old problems.
A Harvard study indicates that people are 33% more likely to infer links between vaguely related ideas after a night's sleep, but few realize that their performance has actually improved. In fact, a single night's sleep of only four to six hours can affect your ability to think clearly the next day.