If you enjoy eating fish on a regular basis, you will be happy to know that you are already eating a natural whole food that prevents alzheimers, and are actively taking steps towards preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease altogether, a new study suggests.

Fish has long been considered a “brain food,” or a food whose consumption naturally improves brain functionality. However, until recently, there was a lack of clinical scientific evidence to conclusively prove that this was indeed true.

In fact, the aforementioned study presented recently in Chicago at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America was the first to determine how eating fish might change the brain’s structure.

The Details and Results of The Alzheimer’s Study

Over the course of the study, 260 individuals reported on their weekly consumption of fish. Ten years later, their brains underwent MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans. Those who regularly ate fish had larger amounts of gray matter in various brain areas, including the orbital frontal cortex, the posterior cingulate cortex and the hippocampus. They were also less likely to have developed mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease.

The study found that individuals who consumed broiled or baked fish at least once per week had more gray matter in the parts of their brains responsible for learning and memory. More importantly, individuals with more gray matter in these areas are five times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease within a period of five years.

According to lead researcher Cyrus Raji, a doctor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, the study proves that lifestyle choices can indeed help to prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease, a condition that severely affects the memory in addition to other brain functions.

The study compensated for various factors including physical activity levels, gender and age, things that could affect a person’s likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s.

How Does Fish Benefit the Brain?

Fish is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, believed to prevent Alzheimer’s and increase the flow of blood to the brain, subsequently nourishing brain cells with additional nutrients and oxygen. Omega-3s have other brain-friendly benefits, such as preventing the buildup of amyloid plaques and reducing inflammation.

The researchers were quick to point out a few caveats associated with the study:

• Only broiled and baked fish seemed to have any benefit. Fried fish offered no apparent benefits.

• As with any study, it’s impossible to account for all factors, including things like socio-economic status.

• More research is needed before a more concrete link can be established, though the findings of the recent study are rather convincing.

Foods that Prevent Alzheimers: The Bottom Line

Fish is an excellent source of protein and a wide variety of other nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids. New research involving a decade-long study indicates that eating broiled or baked fish at least once a week can reduce your likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease, a chronic condition that leads to memory loss and other deficits in brain functioning. The findings are just one more reason why we should all strive to include fish in our regular diets.