You walk into a room and forget why. Or you finish a crucial work e-mail and hit Send before you add a subject line. Or you’re making a point in conversation and can’t retrive the word you want.
The worst part? It’s happening more and more.
One fear that accompanies advancing years is the fear of a weakening mind. That’s especially true at a time when many people, by choice or need, are working far past what was once considered “retirement” age.
Science has discovered a whole range of brain-boosting nutrients, known as nootropics, that support optimal cognition and memory. And researchers are taking a new look at an old standby: omega-3.
Oiling the Brain
Omega-3s are best known for promoting cardiovascular health. However, many people don’t realize that omega-3 fats, especially DHA and EPA, are just as crucial to the brain.
They help keep the membranes surrounding neurons flexible, allowing them to better communicate with each other. These omega-3s also help protect neurons against inflammation, oxidation and other sources of damage.
One of the biggest sources of damage is the aging process itself. Over time, neurons lose their ability to remain supple and to generate the energy they need to function. This interferes with learning new information and recalling data already stored in memory.
It is believed that EPA and DHA can help fight these changes. In one study, women with the highest omega-3 levels in their blood had greater brain volume overall and greater volume in the hippocampus, the area of the brain associated with memory.
