According to a study in the American Academy of Neurology medical journal, a diet low in Omega-3 fatty acids may lead to a decrease in memory and thinking abilities. In short, low levels of Omega-3s can cause the brain to age faster.
Beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids include Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA).
The study consisted of 1,575 people who did not suffer from dementia. The average age was 67. MRI scans, mental ability tests, body mass measurements and omega-3 fatty acid blood tests were conducted on each participant. Researchers learned that people with lower amounts of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) also had lower brain volume, compared to people with higher Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). Participants with lower omega-3 levels also scored poorly on visual memory, multi-tasking, problem solving and abstracting thinking.