Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Fish & Dementia





Ask Glen!



Q. Glen, Can Diets Rich in Baked or Broiled Fish Help Protect the Brain From Damage That Can Lead to Dementia?or even Stroke?


A.Regularly eating non-fried fish may help older adults preserve their memory and ward off stroke.

Researchers reporting in tomorrow’s issue of Neurology have found that older adults whose diets include three or more weekly helpings of baked or broiled tuna and other fish high in omega-3 fatty acids are less likely to develop "silent" brain lesions that can lead to cognitive decline and vascular stroke.

A brain lesion, or infarct, is an area of damaged brain tissue. The damage typically results from a lack of blood flow to the area. The lesion is dubbed "silent" if it developed in someone who has not had a recognized stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a mini-stroke. Silent brain lesions are very common, especially as a person grows older. The lesions can cause thinking problems, memory loss, and stroke.

"Previous findings have shown that fish and fish oil can help prevent stroke, but this is one of the only studies that looks at fish's effect on silent brain infarcts in healthy, older people," Jyrki Virtanen, PhD, RD, with the University of Kuopio in Finland, says in a news release.

For the study, Virtanen and colleagues looked at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans of 3,600 adults aged 65 and older who had no history of cerebrovascular disease. Five years later, researchers rescanned 2,313 individuals who had agreed to the follow-up and asked them questions about their diets, including how much fish they ate.

After comparing scans and analyzing diet information, the team learned that the adults who ate non-fried tuna and other fish high in omega-3 fatty acids at least three times a week had a nearly 26% lower risk of silent brain lesions than those who opted for such foods less often.

Eating just one serving of fish per week also had a protective benefit. Adults in this category reduced their risk of silent brain lesions by 13%.

Those who regularly chose the healthy fish also had fewer changes in the white matter in their brains.

"While eating tuna and other types of fish seems to help protect against memory loss and stroke, these results were not found in people who regularly ate fried fish," Virtanen says. "More research is needed as to why these types of fish may have protective effects, but the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA would seem to have a major role."

In addition to tuna, salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, and anchovies are all rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Reference:

Jyrki Virtanen, PhD, RD,



Glen's Bottom Line! Stay Informed! Eat Fish!!! ( Baked or Broiled )


Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !



My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health

Any questions?

Ask Glen!

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Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States
Is the Founder of Fitness Builders 4 Life,the WorkOut GEM,G350,G180, G90, Eat 4 Life, Clean, Lean & Mean & Ask Glen. The mission of the Fitness Builders is to provide the community with health education and to empower people to change unhealthy lifestyles thereby increasing life expectancy. By educating the community on healthier lifestyle practices it is the intent of Fitness Builders to reduce the ravages of obesity, heart disease, cancer and other lifestyle or self inflicted diseases. Glen is also a AMA Certified Nutrition Specialist and a ACE, ACSM, NASM Certified Personal Trainer has 30+ years in Sports, Exercise Science and Nutritional Food Management, Learning and Mentoring Men and Women on a more Mental & Physical Healthy Life Style consisting of a low fat, low salt, Low carbohydrate, high protein, organic nutrition which also includes moderate exercise and mental awareness. Stay Informed, Live long and be Mentally and Physically Healthy! Any questions? Ask Glen!

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