Brain scans reveal for the first time that eating plenty of salmon, mackerel and sardines protects against Alzheimer’s by boosting blood flow and memory

Omega-3 makes people better at acquiring and understanding new information
Eating oily fish boosts our overall mental and emotional health, study reveals
Simple dietary changes could prevent our risk of developing the condition
Past research suggests dementia could even be treated via high omega-3 intake

Brain scans reveal for the first time that eating plenty of salmon, mackerel and sardines prevents Alzheimer’s disease by boosting blood flow, a study reveals.

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish, increase blood in brain regions that control memory and learning – both of which are destroyed by the neurological disorder, researchers found.

People who eat a lot of oily fish are also better at acquiring and understanding new information, the study adds.

A high-fish diet also boosts our overall mental and emotional health.

Lead study author Professor Daniel Amen, of Amen Clinics in Costa Mesa, California, said: ‘This is very important research because it shows a correlation between lower omega-3 fatty acid levels and reduced brain blood flow to regions important for learning, memory, depression and dementia.’

MRI of brain (stock) – scans monitor its size, abnormalities and, for the first time, blood flow

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE DEATH RATES

Deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have soared by 55 per cent since 1999 in the US, a report from the CDC showed last week.

A similar trend can be seen in the UK, with the most recent official statistics published in November displaying a significant jump.

It is believed they have more than doubled over the last five years due to people living longer than ever before and therefore developing the condition.

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of dementia.

Alzheimer’s accounted for 3.6 per cent of all US deaths in 2014. Yet the figure was much higher in the UK in 2015, as the disorder was responsible for 11.6 per cent of total deaths.

Researchers have long predicted increased cases of Alzheimer’s as the baby boomer generation passes the age of 65, putting them at higher risk for the age-related disease.

Medical advances also make them less likely to die from other diseases.

Scientists took brain scans from 166 people from a psychiatric referral clinic. The scans determine brain activity by measuring blood flow.

The participants were categorised into two groups depending on their omega-3 consumption.

Study participants were scanned on 128 regions of their brains while they performed various computer tasks that measured their mental skills.

The researchers also measured participants’ omega-3 blood levels and evaluated their mental and emotional health using standard tests.

Results, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, found people with high omega-3 levels have more blood flowing into the brain regions associated with memory and learning,

They are also better at acquiring and understanding knowledge, the researchers found.

The findings further demonstrated overall mental and emotional health is stronger in those with high omega-3 levels.

Co-author Professor William Harris, of South Dakota University, said: ‘Although we have considerable evidence omega-3 levels are associated with better cardiovascular health, the role of the “fish oil” fatty acids in mental health and brain physiology is just beginning to be explored.’

Omega-3, found in oily fish, increases blood flow in brain regions that control memory

Dietary changes could lower your risk

Professor George Perry, of Texas University at San Antonio, said: ‘This study is a major advance in demonstrating the value of nutritional intervention for brain health by using the latest brain imaging.’

Professor Harris added: ‘This study opens the door to the possibility that relatively simple dietary changes could favorably impact cognitive function.’

Previous research has found many brain-related conditions may be prevented or even treated by good omega-3 fatty acid intakes.

The scans in the study are only recently being used to determine dementia risk, having previously been employed to assess blood flow in the heart.

Yet, some experts warn the study fails to assess how omega-3 levels specifically combat neurological disorders, such as dementia.

Dr Rosa Sancho, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: ‘Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in maintaining a healthy brain.

‘This study points to a link between higher levels of omega-3 and certain indicators of brain health, but did not look at any potential long-term benefits against conditions like dementia.

‘While some previous studies have drawn a link between diets high in omega-3 and a lower risk of dementia, it is unclear how much this effect might be down to other aspects of a healthy diet.

‘Foods that are high in omega-3 include oily fish and certain nuts and beans. Diets that include these foods, along with plenty of fruits and vegetables and limited processed or sugary foods, have been linked to a range of health benefits.

‘While research continues to unpick factors that can affect dementia risk, the best current evidence suggests that adopting a healthy diet while not smoking, staying mentally and physically active, only drinking in moderation and keeping blood pressure and cholesterol in check, can all play a role in maintain a health brain as we age.’