I’ve been getting questions from readers on here through & on twitter about different topics.  I figured I’d try to answer them on here since some of them are pretty common questions that others might benefit from reading.

Hey bro, what is EPA and DHA  I know people say it’s stuff that the brain needs more of, but not so well where to find them or what they do… HALP? – Michael

EPA is short for Eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA for Docosahexaenoic acid, aside from both being mouthfuls to pronounce, they’re also omega 3 fatty acids.  EPA is better for stuff like inflammation & depression but DHA is better for brain protection/development.  People ussually aim for a higher EPA ratio since DHA is more abundant in the cells.  They are indeed related to improved cognitive performance, decreased risk of alzheimers, and beneficial tools for dealing with depression.  Some common sources of DHA include tuna, mackerel, anchiovies, and sardines.  Some EPA sources include herring, salmon, and sea weed.

How bad is coffee for you? My friends have complained of headaches from it and recommend I give it up.  For the most part I only drink one cup in the morning, weekends I’ll drink two and I drink it black with 2 sugars.

Coffee or caffeine in general can be contraindicated in situations where you have cardiovascular problems like recent heart attacks, abnormal heart rhythms, or high blood pressure.  With those types of things it’s best to first get your doctor’s opinions.  There are also cases of people having sleep problems from excessive caffeine consumption and benefiting from limiting intake, so understanding one’s caffeine sensitivity is always important.  All that being said, if you don’t fall into any of the above categories, coffee in moderation is one of the best things a person can do for their health.  Studies have shown coffee to aid with weight management, insulin sensitivity, and provide antioxidant benefits. And infact according to recent studies women who drink 2-3 cups coffee are 25% less likely to die from heart disease than non-coffee drinkers.  

If any readers of the blog or twitter followers have any questions, feel free to send them in and I’ll try my best to answer them all in a timely manner.