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Omega-3: An Intelligent Decision for Brain Nutrition

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Preventing Health and Environmental Risks in Latin America

Part of the book series: The Anthropocene: Politik—Economics—Society—Science ((APESS,volume 23))

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Abstract

Chronic degenerative diseases put the health of the general population at risk. However, the information given to the population to prevent or decrease the incidence of illness does not always reach its intended audience or is inaccurate, as in the case of information regarding polyunsaturated fatty acids such as ω-3 , found in aquatic animals and some seeds. It has been observed that supplementation with ω-3 prevents cardiovascular diseases and strokes; reduces triglycerides, blood pressure, formation of thrombi and arrhythmia; alleviates cutaneous lesions resulting from psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, nephropathy and asthma; and decreases the metastasis of prostate, breast and colon cancer. Decrease in ω-3 levels, on the other hand, is associated with dementia, migraines, post-partum depression bipolarity, symptoms of depression and aggression, and neurological disorders relating to memory, attention and information processing. If the information on ω-3 were widely available, people would be able to choose what they eat and create a culture of prevention, thus decreasing the risk factors.

Dr. Socorro Herrera Meza, Researcher, Institute of Psychological Research at Universidad Veracruzana. Email: soherrera@uv.mx.

Dr. Grecia Herrera Meza, Researcher, Food Development and Research Unit at Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz. Email: greehem@gmail.com.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Psychological Research, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Mexico

    Socorro Herrera Meza

  2. Food Development and Research Unit, Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico

    Grecia Herrera Meza

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  1. Socorro Herrera Meza
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Correspondence to Socorro Herrera Meza .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Psychological Research, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico

    Ma. Luisa Marván

  2. Interdisciplinary Psychology Research Center, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

    Esperanza López-Vázquez

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Meza, S.H., Meza, G.H. (2018). Omega-3: An Intelligent Decision for Brain Nutrition. In: Marván, M., López-Vázquez, E. (eds) Preventing Health and Environmental Risks in Latin America. The Anthropocene: Politik—Economics—Society—Science, vol 23. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73799-7_5

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