Research

Micronutrients & recovery

Higher circulating levels of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (specifically DHA) are associated with a lower prevalence of subclinical brain infarcts and better white matter integrity in older adults.

For older adults, maintaining higher levels of long-chain omega-3s (found in fatty fish) is linked to fewer silent brain strokes and better white matter health. This suggests that prioritizing fish consumption may help protect against cognitive decline and dementia risk factors later in life.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Among older adults, higher phospholipid long-chain omega-3 PUFA content was associated with lower prevalence of subclinical infarcts and better white matter grade on MRI.
Jyrki K. Virtanen et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · 2013

Why this rating

Large prospective cohort (CHS), objective biomarkers (plasma phospholipids), and blinded MRI reading, though observational design limits causal inference.

Source

Circulating Omega‐3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Subclinical Brain Abnormalities on MRI in Older Adults: The Cardiovascular Health Study

Jyrki K. Virtanen et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · 2013

cohort · n=3660Cited 84×
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