A new study suggests there’s a key nutrient involved in preserving both the structural and cognitive aging of the brain: DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid found primarily in fish.
Researchers looked at over 1,500 aged adults who were in late middle age and without dementia. Their goal was to explore how the levels of DHA in their blood (specifically, their red blood cells) may be related to signs of future dementia.
The results were startling: Those with the highest levels of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in their blood had a 37% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and a 47% lower risk of dementia, even when other risk factors were adjusted for. Adults with the lowest amount of DHA in their blood had smaller brain volumes, poorer performance in tests of visual memory, abstract thinking, planning, organization, and carrying out of tasks than adults with higher DHA levels. So much so, in fact, that the authors estimated that the smaller brain volume from low omega-3 levels sped up brain aging in their subjects by about two years.
A new study suggests there’s a key nutrient involved in preserving
both the structural and cognitive aging of the brain: DHA, an
omega-3 fatty acid found primarily in fish. Researchers looked at
over 1,500 aged adults who were in late...
More
Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA is a component of myelin, which ensures that nerve impulses in the brain move correctly. Watch the animation to learn more about DHA and nerve impulses.
Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA is a component of myelin, which ensures that nerve impulses in the brain move correctly. Watch the animation to learn more about DHA and nerve impulses. More
Dr. Katie Rickel answered:A new study suggests there’s a key nutrient involved in preserving both the structural and cognitive aging of the brain: DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid found primarily in fish.
