Reverse Brain Aging with This Nutrient Duo
By
Natalie Moore
Posted May 24, 2017
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
It’s no secret that aging can really take a toll on your brain.
And sometimes quickly — it seems like overnight you can go from remembering the name of your first-grade teacher to barely remembering your own address.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Because researchers from the University of Illinois have just found that two super nutrients can help shield your brain from the effects of aging.
And getting enough of these nutrients can be the key to preserving your memory – and your independence – throughout your golden years.
I’m talking about omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
For years, scientists have known that these fatty acids play a key role in your heart health.
More recently, researchers wanted to see what kind of effect this powerful duo has on the aging brain.
In two different studies, scientists examined the relationship between blood levels of omega-3 fatty acid and cognitive decline. They focused on the frontal parietal network, a part of the brain that’s vital to cognitive function and often declines prematurely.
In both studies, they looked for fatty acid patterns in the blood of adults ages 65–75. Next, they compared these levels with the participants’ cognitive abilities and brain structures.
And what they found was amazing…
Folks with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, including their precursors like alpha-linolenic acid and stearidonic acid, had larger frontoparietal cortices and better scores on cognitive tests.
But the good news doesn’t stop there…
The second study also showed that folks with balanced blood levels of both omega-3 and omega-6 had larger fornixes, a cluster of nerve fibers that are vital for memory.
In short, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids slow aging in parts of the brain key to memory and cognitive function.
Researchers believe these fatty acids are so effective because they strengthen important brain structures that are greatly affected by aging and disease.
Results like these make getting a balanced amount of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids a real no-brainer!
You can get omega-3s, alpha-linolenic acid and stearidonic acid through foods like nuts and certain fish like salmon and tuna. And foods like poultry, eggs and nuts contain omega-6 fatty acids.
But your best bet is to take a fatty acid supplement that contains both omega-3s and omega-6s to ensure you’re getting a balanced amount. You can find these supplements at puritan.com.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Sources
[1] Healthy brain aging linked to omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the blood
[2] Omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids linked to healthy brain aging
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
Exercise Activates This Hidden Cancer Defense System
I’ve heard my fair share of groaning from patients when I bring up exercise. I know I’m in danger of losing my “Favorite Doctor” badge every time I suggest putting on those workout shoes and heading out the door. But you might want to retire those groans after you read this—or at least put them...
This Sleep Mistake Is Doubling Your Disease Risk
Think your inconsistent bedtime is just a harmless habit? Think again. New research reveals that going to bed at different times each night isn’t just making you tired—it could be dramatically increasing your risk of serious diseases. But the key to making sure poor sleep doesn’t derail your health goals likely isn’t what you think…....
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...