How to Stop Your Brain From Shrinking
Consuming the healthy omega-3 fats EPA and DHA are one of many important dietary strategies to reduce nerve cell loss, brain shrinkage and the memory and cognitive impairments associated with aging, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
A recent study that examined the brains of individuals who ate fish one to four times a week found they were able to preserve their brain volume, thinking abilities and memory skills over time. This dramatically reduced their risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Another study found that a diet lacking in omega-3 fatty acids (particularly DHA) may cause your brain to age faster and lose some of its memory and cognitive (thought processing) capabilities.
Researchers found the people with the lowest blood levels of DHA had lower brain volume compared to people who had higher DHA levels. They also scored lower on tests of visual memory and learning processes.
What We Have To Say: Try to eat oily fish such as salmon, tuna, or sardines at least three times a week to obtain adequate levels of DHA and EPA. You should also take EPA/DHA supplements on a daily basis, especially on days you do not eat fish. For further supplement and dosage recommendations, you can visit our Supplements We Recommend page.
