A Daily Dose of Fish Oil May Help Stave Off Dementia

Researchers at Northumbria University in Newcastle, England, have found that regular consumption of a fish oil supplement containing the omega-3 fatty acid DHA may prevent cognitive decline and dementia. For the study, which is featured in the online edition of the British Journal of Nutrition, the researchers monitored the mental functioning of a group of individuals aged 18 to 35 who took the supplement for three months. Participants were observed to have increased blood flow to the brain while performing mental tasks. The researchers now plan to assess the impact of DHA-rich supplements on the memory and mental performance of individuals between the ages of 50 and 70. Read about other potential mental health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in Psychiatric News and the book Complementary and Alternative Treatments in Mental Health Care, by American Psychiatric Publishing.

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