Scientist says Omega-3 protects against dementia

Healthcare News
10/07/2008
Latest research examining effects of Omega-3 on mental function.

Omega-3 fatty acids found in foods such as salmon, walnuts and kiwi fruit can protect against dementia, a scientist has said.

Dietary deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids has been associated with an increased risk of various mental disorders, commented Fernando Gomez-Pinilla, a professor of neurosurgery and physiological science at the University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine.

He also found fast food has a negative effect on the workings of the brain and now eats it less often as a result of conducting the research, which is published in the July issue of the Nature Reviews Neuroscience journal.

Professor Gomez-Pinilla suggested diet, exercise and sleep are all able to affect mental function and the health of the brain.

He continued: "This raises the exciting possibility that changes in diet are a viable strategy for enhancing cognitive abilities, protecting the brain from damage and counteracting the effects of ageing."

Last month, researchers from the University of Chicago revealed separate findings which appeared to show a lack of deep sleep might accelerate the ageing process.

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