March 10, 2008

One Food Slows Aging of the Brain Eating fish at least once a week has a remarkable effect on the brain. According to a new six-year study from the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, eating fish not only boosts the brain's functioning, but also slows the brain's aging and cognitive decline by 10 percent to 13 percent per year. That translates to having a brain that is three to four years younger in age than the rest of your body!

Fish is a primary source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to be essential for neurocognitive development and normal brain functioning. Previous research credits fish consumption with helping to lower the risk of dementia and stroke. In addition, one particular omega-3 fatty acid--docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)--has been shown to be important for memory performance in aged animals.

Call it a Rx for aging beautifully! If you eat these foods, you'll look 10 years younger.

The study: Led by epidemiologist Martha Clare Morris, the team analyzed six years of data from an ongoing biracial study of 3,718 Chicago residents who are 65 years and older. They were first interviewed between 1993 and 1997 and every three years in two follow-up interviews. Interviews included four standardized cognitive tests and dietary questions on the frequency of consumption of 139 different foods, as well as questions about daily activities, exercise levels, alcohol consumption and medical history.

The results: Those who ate the most fish had the least cognitive decline over six years, compared with those who ate the least or no fish. Among those who ate one fish meal a week, the rate of decline was slashed by 10 percent; this rose to 13 percent for those who ate two fish meals a week. This rate reduction is the equivalent of being three to four years younger in age.

"Cognitive decline is common among older people and is very much associated with advancing age," the authors write. "Our data offer no insight as to whether this cognitive decline is pathological or the result of a normal aging process. Nonetheless, data from the United States and other countries indicate that it is a widespread and increasing public health problem. This study suggests that eating one or more fish meals per week may protect against cognitive decline associated with older age." The study findings were published in the Archives of Neurology.

Eating wild salmon and tuna will keep your mind sharp.