New research indicates that a healthy diet rich in vitamins and omega-3 oils could protect your brain from the effects of ageing, while eating junk food has the opposite effect.
The journal Neurology, published the study that found elderly people with high blood levels of vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, demonstrated greater mental performance and had less brain shrinkage.
Great brain shrinkage and poorer memory test scores were found to be connected to Trans fats, which are generally found in junk food.
A spokesperson from Alzheimer's Research UK, a mental health charity, commented on these findings by saying "The best current advice is to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, not smoke, take regular exercise and keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check."
The researchers from three institutes in the USA, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland; Portland VA Medical Center; and Oregon State University, Corvallis, took blood samples from 104 elderly people, with an average age of 87 that were in good health and that were found to have low risk factors of Alzheimer's.
The results from the blood tests were very interesting. They showed that the subjects with the highest scores in the mental skills tests had the highest levels of vitamin B, C, D, and E. A second group, also with high scores in the tests were found to have high levels of omega-3 oils.
The subjects that scored the lowest on the tests were found to have higher blood levels of trans fats.
Trans facts can be found in many processed foods, for example biscuits, cakes and fried foods.
The researchers then performed brain scans on 42 of the subjects.
These brain scans showed that those who had high levels of vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids in their blood, also had a larger brain volume, when compared to those would had a lot of trans fats, they had a smaller brain volume.
In discussing these results, one of the study's authors from Oregon Health and Science University, Gene Bowman said, "These results need to be confirmed, but obviously it is very exciting to think that people could potentially stop their brains from shrinking and keep them sharp by adjusting their diet."
Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University colleague, and co-author, Maret Traber continued "The vitamins and nutrients you get from eating a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and fish can be measured in blood bio markers. I'm a firm believer these nutrients have strong potential to protect your brain and make it work better.
Super foods such as wheatgrass powder, and maca powder have been found to contain vitamins B, C, D, and E, and omega-3 fatty acids.
The journal Neurology, published the study that found elderly people with high blood levels of vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, demonstrated greater mental performance and had less brain shrinkage.
Great brain shrinkage and poorer memory test scores were found to be connected to Trans fats, which are generally found in junk food.
A spokesperson from Alzheimer's Research UK, a mental health charity, commented on these findings by saying "The best current advice is to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, not smoke, take regular exercise and keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check."
The researchers from three institutes in the USA, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland; Portland VA Medical Center; and Oregon State University, Corvallis, took blood samples from 104 elderly people, with an average age of 87 that were in good health and that were found to have low risk factors of Alzheimer's.
The results from the blood tests were very interesting. They showed that the subjects with the highest scores in the mental skills tests had the highest levels of vitamin B, C, D, and E. A second group, also with high scores in the tests were found to have high levels of omega-3 oils.
The subjects that scored the lowest on the tests were found to have higher blood levels of trans fats.
Trans facts can be found in many processed foods, for example biscuits, cakes and fried foods.
The researchers then performed brain scans on 42 of the subjects.
These brain scans showed that those who had high levels of vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids in their blood, also had a larger brain volume, when compared to those would had a lot of trans fats, they had a smaller brain volume.
In discussing these results, one of the study's authors from Oregon Health and Science University, Gene Bowman said, "These results need to be confirmed, but obviously it is very exciting to think that people could potentially stop their brains from shrinking and keep them sharp by adjusting their diet."
Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University colleague, and co-author, Maret Traber continued "The vitamins and nutrients you get from eating a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and fish can be measured in blood bio markers. I'm a firm believer these nutrients have strong potential to protect your brain and make it work better.
Super foods such as wheatgrass powder, and maca powder have been found to contain vitamins B, C, D, and E, and omega-3 fatty acids.
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You can find lots of vitamins, minerals and fatty acids in maca and wheatgrass powder. Check here for free reprint license: Health Diet Can 'Stop Your Brain Shrinking'.
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