Your brain needs certain fats that are mostly found in animal foods, and your body isn’t very good at making them from plant fats.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (3)
Community contributions welcome
Brain White Matter Development Is Associated with a Human-Specific Haplotype Increasing the Synthesis of Long Chain Fatty Acids
People who are less able to turn plant fats into long-chain brain fats have differences in brain development, showing that our bodies need to make these fats even if we don’t get them directly from animal foods.
Genetic association between FADS and ELOVL polymorphisms and the circulating levels of EPA/DHA in humans: a scoping review
The study shows that many people's bodies aren't good at turning plant fats into the brain-healthy fats they need, which supports the idea that we need to get these fats directly from animal sources.
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and brain functions - literature review.
The study shows that the brain needs certain long fats found in fish and algae, and they’re so important that our bodies can’t make enough of them on their own.
Contradicting (1)
Community contributions welcome
Adaptive Evolution of the FADS Gene Cluster within Africa
The study shows that some people evolved genes that let them make brain-healthy fats from plant foods more easily, which goes against the idea that we must get these fats only from animal sources.
Gold Standard Evidence Needed
According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.