Omega-3 Fatty Acids Linked to Larger Brain Volume

Findings from a study published in the January 2014 issue of Neurology show that people with higher levels of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may also have larger brain volumes in old age. Of the 1,111 women who were tested at the age of 70, those with higher levels of omega-3s had larger total brain volumes at age 78, according to their MRI scans. Researchers say the results suggest the effect on brain volume is the equivalent of delaying the normal loss of brain cells associated with aging by one to two years. Those with higher levels of omega-3s also had a 2.7-percent larger volume in the hippocampus area of the brain, which plays an important role in memory. To read more about this study, click here.