VOLUME 2007 chapter 7

Trio of Studies Demonstrate Benefits of Fish for Brain Health

Data from studies from New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Norway provide compelling evidence for the benefits of fish consumption, specifically for the omega-3 fatty acid the food contains, on cognitive health. In the Dutch study, led by Carla Dullemeijer, of Wageningen University (Wageningen, Netherlands), the researchers followed more than 800 men and women, and found that those with increased levels of circulating omega-3 fatty acids experienced far lower declines in less decline in speed-related cognitive performance assessment over three years. In the New Zealand study, Francesca Crowe, of the University of Otago (Dunedin, New Zealand) and colleagues found that study subjects with higher blood levels of eicosapentanoic acid (EPA), a type of fatty acid found in fish, and higher ratio of EPA to arachadonic acid (AA), were found to perform better physically, while subjects with a higher EPA to AA ratio reported higher mental well being. In the Norway study, led by Eha Nurk of the University of Oxford (Oxford, UK),researchers followed more than 2,000 elderly Norwegians to determine the relation between consumption of seafood and cognitive performance. The team found that study participants who ate at least 10 grams of fish a day performed significantly better on cognitive tests, compare to those who ate less than 10 grams of fish daily.
[Carla Dullemeijer, Jane Durga, Ingeborg A Brouwer, Ondine van de Rest, Frans J Kok, Robert-Jan M Brummer, Martin PJ van Boxtel, and Petra Verhoef. “n–3 Fatty acid proportions in plasma and cognitive performance in older adults.” Am J Clin Nutr 2007 86: 1479-1485; Francesca L Crowe, C Murray Skeaff, Timothy J Green, and Andrew R Gray. “Serum phospholipid n–3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and physical and mental health in a population-based survey of New Zealand adolescents and adults.” Am J Clin Nutr 2007 86: 1278-1285; Eha Nurk, Christian A Drevon, Helga Refsum, Kari Solvoll, Stein E Vollset, Ottar Nygård, Harald A Nygaard, Knut Engedal, Grethe S Tell, and A David Smith. “Cognitive performance among the elderly and dietary fish intake: the Hordaland Health Study.” Am J Clin Nutr 2007 86: 1470-1478.]

Dr Klatz remarks: ”Inflammation is a powerful negative process in the body, contributing to chronic diseases from arthritis to Alzheimer’s. The omega-3 fatty acids and EPA oil that fish contains, are potent natural anti-inflammatory compounds. Regular, frequent consumption of cold-water fatty fish, such as wild salmon, halibut, and herring, is an effective and healthful way to preserve cognitive function as we age.“

Vitamin C + Calcium = Less Abdominal Weight

In a study of 900 Iranian women ages 40 to 60, Leila Azadbakht and Ahmad Esmailzadeh, of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (Isfahan, Iran) found those who consumed more vitamin C and calcium were more apt to have less abdominal weight, including fat. The possibility of being obese and middle-heavy was greatest in women with low vitamin C intake (less than 56 mg), low calcium intake (less than 398 mg), and low dairy consumption.
[Azadbakht L, Esmaillzadeh A. “Dietary and non-dietary determinants of central adiposity among Tehrani women.” Public Health Nutr. 2007 Sep 3;1-7. (Epub ahead of print).]

Dr. Goldman observes: This is yet another study confirming the role of dairy to inhibit fat and fatty acid consumption, as well as the influence of calcium on body weight. This study once again reinforces the message of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including eating a balanced diet and getting regular physical exercise.”

Low Vitamin B-12 Increases Risk of Age-Related Cognitive Impairment

In that elevated homocysteine is associated with cognitive impairment, Robert Clarke, from the University of Oxford (Oxford, UK) and colleagues investigated whether vitamin B-12 could effectively reduce the occurrence of dementia. Whereas the team found that a doubling of homocysteine levels caused a 50% more rapid decline in cognitive function, it also discovered that a doubling of holotranscobalamin (holoTC) levels, a marker of B-12 deficiency, slowed cognitive decline by 30%. [Robert Clarke, Jacqueline Birks, Ebba Nexo, Per M Ueland, Joern Schneede, John Scott, Anne Molloy and John Grimley Evans. “Low vitamin B-12 status and risk of cognitive decline in older adults.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 86, No. 5, 1384-1391, November 2007.]

Comments Dr. Klatz: “This study continues in a long line of research elucidating the value of Vitamin B-12 as a safe and cost-effective preventative measure to ward off the loss of cognitive function as we age.”

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