A recently published study suggests that a diet lacking in omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) can cause the brain to age faster and lose some of its memory and thinking abilities.
More than 1500 dementia-free study participants, with an average age of 67 years, underwent MRI scans and mental function tests. Those with DHA and omega-3 index (EPA and DHA) levels in the bottom quartile had lower brain volume compared to individuals with higher omega-3 levels. Those in the bottom quartile also scored lower on tests for visual memory, executive function and abstract thinking.
Furthermore, these individuals were revealed to have poorer blood supply to their brains.

Tan ZS, Harris WS, Beiser AS, et al. Red blood cell -3 fatty acid levels and markers of accelerated brain aging. Neurology 2012;78(9):658-64.

The post Omega-3s protect the ageing brain appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

Photo by Sven Mieke on Unsplash

Maintaining healthy vitamin B12 levels may help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD), according to a recent study.

Blood concentrations of homocysteine and holotranscobalamin (active vitamin B12) were measured in 271 Finnish men and women, aged between 65 and 79 years.

None had symptoms of dementia when the study began, however, after seven years, 17 had developed AD. Homocysteine was the focus of the study because high levels are associated with memory loss and stroke, and holotranscobalamin is thought to lower blood levels, thereby reducing risk.

During the study period, for each micromolar increase in homocysteine, the risk of Alzheimer’s rose by 16%; for each picomolar increase in transcobalamin, the risk of Alzheimer’s dropped by 2%.

Hooshmand B, Solomon A, Kayreholt I, et al. Homocysteine and holotranscobalamin and the risk of Alzheimer disease – A longitudinal study. Neurology 2010;75:1408-1414

The post Good Vitamin B12 levels associated with reduced Alzheimers risk appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.