Fish protects the brain from aging, but phosphorus has nothing to do with it
Omega-3 fatty acids keep the brain young
Elvira Koshkina, Compulenta
A study conducted at the University of California at Los Angeles (USA) showed that a lack of Omega-3 fatty acids in the diet can accelerate brain aging and provoke deterioration of memory and mental functions.
Omega-3 fatty acids include docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids.
1,575 volunteers aged about 67 years who did not suffer from dementia were selected for the study. The subjects underwent weighing and magnetic resonance brain scanning, donated blood for analysis of the content of Omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cells, passed tests to assess intellectual abilities.
The results of the survey showed that the participants whose DHA level was in the lower quartile (quartiles divide the sample into four equal parts) had a smaller brain in comparison with the rest. This difference is equivalent to almost two years of structural aging of the brain. The following was also found: those who had the content of all Omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cells in the lower quartile scored less points on the results of tests on visual memory and brain functions such as problem solving, multitasking and abstract thinking.
In other words, there is reason to argue that the inclusion of foods rich in Omega-3 acids in the diet can slow down the aging of the brain and preserve its normal functionality.
The study report is published in the journal Neurology (Tan et al., Red blood cell omega-3 fatty acid levels and markers of accelerated brain aging).
By the way, the same team discovered in 2010 that fatty acids control biological aging of a person, preventing the shortening of telomeres — the end sections of chromosomes. It has also been proven that Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer (by 40%) and help prevent the accumulation of amyloid protein in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease. However, men should be careful with Omega-3 acids, since a high concentration of DHA in the blood can increase the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
Prepared based on the materials of the University of California at Los Angeles: Brain food: Study provides further confirmation that eating fish is good for you.
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28.02.2012