WASHINGTON – Eating fish and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids could help adults keep their brains healthy as they age.
An Alzheimer’s research study at UCLA reinforces the data that eating fish and other foods with omega-3 fatty acids can also help the heart.
More than 1,500 people were studied for the finding with an average age of 67, reports The Wall Street Journal.
Researchers found the participants with the lowest level of omega-3s in their blood had less brain volume compared with those with higher omega-3 levels. Those participants with less omega-3 fatty acids in their blood also scored lower on memory tests.
Several studies have shown that diets including fish also lower the risk of stroke and heart problems.
Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids
- Fish: salmon, tuna, herring, sardines
- Vegetable and Canola oils
- Soybeans, Flaxseed
- Walnuts, Pumpkin seeds
- Vegetables: kale, spinach, salad greens
Source: University of Maryland Medical Center
U.S. dietary guidelines recommend at least two servings of seafood a week, and some doctors also advise fish oil supplements as well.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides consumers healthy dietary tips on its Choose My Plate website.
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