A public lecture will take place at the 7th International Oyster Symposium which is being hosted by Bangor University.

Professor Michael Crawford will be speaking on Tuesday 12th September at the Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre, in Bangor, Gwynedd, UK and Professor Crawford’s presentation is titled “The role of sea foods in reversing the global crisis in mental ill-health”.

Prof. Crawford, of the Imperial College London, is an internationally renowned researcher in nutrition and brain development, and has warned of the dangers of decreased seafood consumption in relation to declining mental health.

The message from Professor Crawford is to eat more fish and substantially lessen your risk of developing mental health problems, he describes the rise in brain disorders and mental health problems associated with Omega 3 deficiency as the most pressing health issue of the 21st century – he said “mental health is the real disaster already beginning to happen.””

Irish people are fifty times more likely to develop depression than populations like Japan, where seafood consumption is very high. Just 20% of Irish people eat fish twice weekly or less. Prof Crawford suggests our western meat and wheat-based diet and falling consumption of seafood-based Omega 3 fatty acids is resulting in this significant rise in brain ill health.

Professor Crawford added “We are seeing more and more scientific evidence linking brain disorders and diet. For example, researchers now know women suffering from post-natal depression produce breast milk that is very low in DHA- the boss of the Omega 3 family. Similarly, preliminary research into Alzheimer’s Disease shows sufferers are also losing this critical DHA from their brain.

“It‘s simple, our brain is made of marine fats – if we do not feed it the food it requires to remain healthy – fish and specifically Omega 3 fats – then we are looking at serious brain problems like depression, bi-polar disorder and childhood behavioural problems like ADHD and dyslexia, dysphasia.”

Where & When

Tuesday 12 September 2017

PONTIO Arts Centre, Bangor, LL57 2TQ

17.00 Free Drinks Reception, PONTIO level 5

17.30 Lecture, Lecture Theatre Level 5, PONTIO

This lecture is part of the 7th International Oyster Symposium, held at Pontio from 11-14 September.

The lecture and reception are open to both members of the public and delegates of the conference. There is no need to reserve a space.