Fatty acids are key building blocks for a healthy brain, as the brain needs fatty acids from healthy fats to produce brain cells. Fatty acids form the membranes surrounding brain cells, allowing nutrients to pass in and waste to pass out. A diet rich in essential fatty acids supports proper brain nutrition and function. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that must be obtained through diet, as the body cannot produce them. These fatty acids are important for brain development and function throughout life. Deficiencies can impact birth weight, head size, and later brain development and function. Maintaining proper nutrition supports optimal brain health.

2. Fatty Acids are the key Building blocks to a healthy brain,
your brain needs Fatty acids from healthy fats to produce
brain cells.

3. Fatty Acids form the membrane's surrounding brain cells allows oxygen,
glucose and antioxidants to pass in and metallic waste to pass out as to not
harm the cell by its own pollution.

4. We need a diet rich in essential fatty acids for proper nutrition and a healthy
brain. The chart above gives examples of foods rich in these nutrients.

5. Omega Fatty acids and other Omega acids also known as Essential Fatty Acids ,
or EFA’s are found in foods we eat . They are called Essential Fatty acids because
our bodies can not make their own.

6. Our body uses EFA’s to make DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid). DHA’s are essential
in brain function in adults .

7. The human brain starts developing three weeks in to pregnancy.
DHA’s are thought to be essential in the development of the brain and eyes of the
fetus.

8. Fatty Acids in breast milk help myelination in nursing infants. Healthy myelination is essential
for proper function of the nervous system. Deficiencies of these fatty acids can result in low
birth weight and reduced head size. Although studies show myelination can be made up later
in the child's life .

9. We also need the proper amount of vitamins and minerals in
our diet for proper brain development and brain function.

10. Certain nutrients have a greater affect on brain development than others( protein, iron, zinc, vitamin
A, Selenium , iodine choline, folate). Are the most common . One of the most common of all
deficiency's are Iron deficiency's. You can see images above, Although sometimes iron deficiencies do
not entail visual symptoms of yellowing, bur usually paleness is apparent in all cases of anemia.

11. Iron deficiencies can hit at any time in ones life, but are most crucial to the
fetus through first two years of life.

12. Low Iron studies showed reduced hippocampal size in the brain also altered
neurochemistry which resulted in test later taken as adult’s , despite being
given iron supplements to correct deficiency’s.

13. As adults we can optimize our brains function by making sure we keep our
body/Brain properly hydrated . Dehydration can impair short term memory and
it slows brain function.

14. We can actually improve are performance at work or on tests by eating certain foods to
improve brain function. Foods high in protein stabilize blood sugars levels and maintain
mental alertness. Oatmeal, almonds and whole grains are also examples of optimal choices
of food for improved brain function.

15. Avoid caffeinated drinks , they can cause decrease in energy levels , can leave you
feeling jittery anxious and unable to concentrate. Avoid energy drinks that may send
you in to crash mode and unable to maintain energy levels optimal for concentration.

16. END OF POWERPOINTS
REFERANCES AND WORK SITED
Mid term Presentation , august 6th
Deanna Spencer

17. APA
(American Psychological Assoc.).
References.
Rao, R., Tkac, I., Schmidt, A. T., &
Georgieff, M. K. (2011). Fetal and
neonatal iron deficiency causes volume
loss and alters the neurochemical
profile of the adult rat hippocampus.
Nutritional Neuroscience, 14(2), 59-
65.
doi:10.1179/1476830511Y.00000000
01
.
I found this source to be valid and peer approved. I found it through the library
web site EBSCO, I found it informational on my topic of study.

18. APA
(American Psychological Assoc.).
References.
Hazin, A., Alves, J., & Falbo, A. (2007). THE MYELINATION PROCESS
IN SEVERELY MALNOURISHED CHILDREN: MRI FINDINGS.
International Journal Of Neuroscience, 117(8), 1209-1214.
doi:10.1080/00207450600934945
.
In this research a study was done on children with malnutrition to see the
affects on the developing brain. It is a peer approved article.

19. Book (Teaching with the Brain in Mind)
2nd Edition
Eric Jensen. Memory and recall, Preparing the Brain for school ,Meet your Amazing Brain
Ed. Association for Supervision and Curriculum development. Copy right 2005.
Web site
http://ww.fi.edu/learn/brain/facts.html (I used this site in the research of
brain
development this sight linked with the Franklin Institution/ on-line of learning)
Web site
MedlinePlus.gov (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition) 2007,Michael K
Georgieff , Authors afflictions From department of Pediatrics and childhood
Development .(This article focused on iron deficiencies and pertained to my
PowerPoint's)I found it to be informative of early iron deficiencies and adult
anemia.
Web Site
Livestrong .com, Article September 1, 2011, Byb Sage Kalmus, “What does the
brain need to functionNutricionally. I used this research and its content that
broke down the foods that contained the fatty 3 omega acids and the omega 6
fatty acids and there source from how the body uses these nutrients and does
make its own.