By now most people have heard that fish and omega 3 fatty acids are good for the heart. There is now research to show that the old wives were right about fish being good for the brain as well. A new study included approximately 1,500 people in Framingham, Massachusetts. The average was 67 and all of the volunteers were free of dementia. The scientists found that those with the lowest levels of omega 3 fats in their blood had the smallest brains, as measured by MRI. They also did worse on tests of memory and abstract reasoning. The study did not reveal how much fish or fish oil people need to keep their brains healthy, but many experts recommend at least two or three servings of fish weekly to maintain good heart health. The same may be true for the gray matter as well.
[Neurology, Online, Feb. 28, 2012]
The People's Perspective on Medicine