The fat that helps the brain fight Alzheimer's disease

Once Alzheimer's disease starts destroying your memory, the process can't be reversed as of yet. But researchers at the University of Illinois have found that a beneficial fat can boost brain power in people at risk for dementia, Alzheimer's and other brain wasting conditions.

The study shows that if you're not getting fish oil from fish or supplements, you're taking a big gamble with your brain. The Illinois study of seniors who had a gene making them more likely to get Alzheimer's shows that those folks who get more of the omega-3 fats found in fish oil have more protection against disease than those who don't. The fats are linked to improvements in what the scientists call "cognitive flexibility." That refers to the type of mental flexibility that lets you smoothly switch between mental tasks without suffering the type of bewildering confusion so many older people suffer from.

People consuming these fats have more brain tissue in a part of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex. That's a brain location that facilitates juggling several mental errands at the same time.

"Recent research suggests that there is a critical link between nutritional deficiencies and the incidence of both cognitive impairment and degenerative neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease," says researcher Aron Barbey. "Our findings add to the evidence that optimal nutrition helps preserve cognitive function, slow the progression of aging and reduce the incidence of debilitating diseases in healthy aging populations."

According to researcher Marta Zamroziewicz, this study centered on the types of brain function that haven't received a lot of attention in studies on aging: "A lot of work in cognitive aging focuses on memory, but in fact cognitive flexibility and other executive functions have been shown to better predict daily functioning than memory does."

The executive functions Zamroziewcz discusses include the ability to focus your attention, solve problems, control impulsive behavior and plan ahead as well as switch between tasks.

"These functions tend to decline earlier than other cognitive functions in aging," Zamroziewcz says.

You might have heard from your parents, that fish is brain food. So it's no surprise that fats from fish keep your brain well-oiled. Salmon and sardines are rich in omega-3s.

-Easy Health Options