Eat Fish, Avoid Dementia :: Health Issues

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October 11, 2005

Eat Fish, Avoid Dementia

Eating fish at least once a week slows the toll aging takes on the brain, while obesity at midlife doubles the risk of dementia, a pair of studies concluded on Monday. The question, of course is why? What in fish are inherently beneficial to the brain leading to a reduced risk of dementia?

Omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish have been shown to be essential for neurocognitive development and normal brain functioning - they have also been shown to cut the risk of stroke.

Some recent studies have even found that one omega-3 fatty acid in particular, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is important for memory in older animals.

Interesting, obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels - all associated with Type 2 Diabetes - each double the risk of dementia later in life.

See our related coverage of Fish Oil and DHA:

Fish oil hope for breast cancer

Omega-6 fatty acids cause prostate tumor cell growth in culture

FDA Approvals: Omacor, Nuflexxa, Combunox, and Others

The Mechanism of Action of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Secondary Prevention Post-Myocardial Infarction

HT: Diabetologica

Posted by tim at October 11, 2005 3:45 PM

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