Fish oil might protect the brain from dementia-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s according to a new study that examined brain volume.

University of South Dakota researchers found that individuals in the study with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids — a substance found in fish oil — had bigger brains. “This could have significant implications for the elderly population, since a shrinking brain volume is often associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s.”

Researchers who published their findings in the Neurology journal, blood-tested about 1,000 elderly women for their omega-3 levels. When their brains were MRI scanned eight years later, “Participants whose omega-3 levels were twice as high had a 0.7 percent higher brain volume.” Those with higher levels of omega-3 reportedly also had a 2.7 percent larger hippocampus, the brain’s memory region, which shrinks as dementia symptoms increase. The average age of the study subjects was 78.

According to Prof. James Pottala, one of the study authors, “If achieving a certain red blood cell level of the two major fish-derived omega-3 fatty acids could prevent or delay dementia, that would have huge mental health benefits, especially since levels can be safely and inexpensively raised through diet and supplementation.” He also said that “These higher levels of fatty acids can be achieved through diet and the use of supplements, and the results suggest that the effect on brain volume is the equivalent of delaying the normal loss of brain cells that comes with aging by one to two years.”

The study concluded that “A higher omega-3 index was correlated with larger total normal brain volume and hippocampal volume in postmenopausal women measured 8 years later. While normal aging results in overall brain atrophy, lower omega-3 index may signal increased risk of hippocampal atrophy. Future studies should examine whether maintaining higher RBC EPA + DHA levels slows the rate of hippocampal or overall brain atrophy.”

Salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, and sardines are among the cold water oily fish sources of omega-3 fatty acids that possibly might ward off brain shrinkage assuming this study is valid. Many holistic-oriented consumers also take fish oil supplements for both brain and heart health.

Another fish oil-brain health study has suggested that fish oil can provide some protection from the negative effects of junk food on the brain. A separate study suggested that fish oil might protect the heart in stressful situations.

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