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.
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