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Low levels of omega-3 fatty acids linked to brain aging

  • A large study has found that older adults with low levels of omega-3 fatty acids had greater brain atrophy and more white matter damage.

A study involving 1,575 older adults (aged 58-76) has found that those with DHA levels in the bottom 25% had smaller brain volume (equivalent to about 2 years of aging) and greater amounts of white matter lesions. Those with levels of all omega-3 fatty acids in the bottom quarter also scored lower on tests of visual memory, executive function, and abstract thinking.

The finding adds to the evidence that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids reduce dementia risk.

For more about omega-3 oils and cognition

Reference

Tan, Z. S., Harris, W. S., Beiser, A. S., Au, R., Himali, J. J., Debette, S., … Seshadri, S. (2012). Red Blood Cell Omega-3 Fatty Acid Levels and Markers of Accelerated Brain Aging. Neurology, 78(9), 658-664. Retrieved from http://www.neurology.org/content/78/9/658

Abstract: http://www.neurology.org/content/78/9/658

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