Omega 3-fatty acids are the essential fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, and eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA. They are found in foods such as salmon, walnuts, herring, halibut and soybeans. In addition to being anti-inflammatory, research indicates that omega-3s are essential for maintaining and improving brain health.
Enhances Learning and Memory
Omega-3s are crucial for protecting the brain against damage and enhancing brain function, according to a study conducted by lead author Fernando Gomez-Pinilla and colleagues from the University of California. Scientists discovered that omega-3s positively affect the expression of molecules involved in learning and memory that are found on synapses, a junction that connects neurons. This helps improve both learning and memory, according to research published in the July 2008 issue of the journal "Nature Reviews Neuroscience."
Protects Against Parkinson's Disease
Increasing your intake of omega-3s might protect the brain against Parkinson's disease, which causes the death of neurons responsible for dopamine production. Frederic Calon led a team of researchers from the Universite Laval who examined the relationship between omega-3 consumption and Parkinson's disease. The report, which was published in the November 2007 issue of the "FASEB Journal," revealed that mice fed an omega-3 rich diet were immune to the effects of MPTP, a toxic compound that causes similar damage to the brain as Parkinson's, whereas mice fed a diet without omega-3s experienced decreases in dopamine production that is associated with MPTP.
Combats Major Depression
Omega-3s might help treat patients with major depression who do not have anxiety disorders, according to a study led by Dr. Francois Lesperance and colleagues from the Universite of Montreal. They discovered that patients with major depression unaccompanied by an anxiety disorder taking omega-3 rich fish oil for eight weeks experienced improvements in depressive symptoms compared with patients taking a placebo, the June 2010 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Psychiatry" reports.
Slows Age-Related Cognitive Decline
Researchers led by Karin Yurko-Mauro investigated the impact of DHA on age-related cognitive decline. The study, which was reported in the May 2010 issue of the journal of "Alzheimer's and Dementia," revealed that elderly individuals taking DHA for 24 weeks experienced improvements in both learning and memory function.
References
- Science Daily: Scientists Learn How Food Affects The Brain: Omega 3 Especially Important
- Science Daily: Omega-3 Fatty Acids Protect Against Parkinson's, Study Says
- Science Daily: Treating Depression With Omega-3: Encouraging Results from Largest Clinical Study
- Alzheimer's and Dementia: Beneficial effects of docosahexaenoic acid on cognition in age-related cognitive decline
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