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Fishy Diet Could Limit Brain Lesions

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 29, 2008

Small brain lesions, detectable only on scans, have been linked to the loss of thinking skills and dementia.

Some research shows that eating fish, which is thought to be good for the brain, might affect the development of lesions called silent brain infarcts.

A recent issue of the journal Neurology detailed a study that involved 2,313 generally healthy older people, most in their mid-70s. They had brains scans at the start of the study and again five years later.

Lesions were detected in about 23 percent of the participants. Those who ate broiled or baked tuna or other fish high in omega-3 fatty acids three or more times a week were 26 percent less likely to have brain lesions than were those who ate such fish once a month or less.

Eating fish once a week reduced the risk by 13 percent. No benefit was found for eating fried fish.

The data on fish consumption were based on the participants' responses to questionnaires. Cognitive abilities were not tested.

The Washington Post

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