Big Brain: Try Fish Oil to Prevent Volume Shrinkage through Aging

Previous studies have shown how fish oil can help repair brain damage. And now, a recent study suggests that these omega-3 fatty acids may be able to help keep and even increase brain volume during old age that could decrease the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

More than 5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease as of 2013, and 1 in 3 will die from the disease or a less common form of dementia.

As previous studies have linked shrinking brain volume to normal aging and Alzheimer's disease, this recent study examined 1,111 women who were part of the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study. Researchers measured the level of omega-3 fatty acids EPA + DHA in the participants' red blood cells.

In eight years, the women who were an average of 78 years old, had their brain volumes measured via MRI scans.

Findings showed that women with higher levels of omega-3s also had larger total brain volumes eight years later.

"These higher levels of fatty acids can be achieved through diet and the use of supplements, and the results suggest that the effect on brain volume is the equivalent of delaying the normal brain cells that comes with aging by one to two years," said study author James V. Pottala, Ph.D., of the University of South Dakota in Sioux Falls and Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc., via a press release.

Findings revealed that women had twice as high levels of fatty acids and 0.7 larger brain volume, as well as a larger hippocampus--the area of the brain that plays a critical role in memory.

Statistics show that Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Adding a little fish oil to the diet could prove a promising prevention method for those entering old age.

What do you think?

More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Neurology.