A Fishy Solution to Airborne Pollution
More omega-3s can mean less brain shrinkage.
If you reside in a busy city, it might be a good idea to make sure you reel in more of the omega-3 fats found in fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines. Researchers reported in Neurology that among women ages 65–80 who lived in areas with elevated levels of air pollution, those who had the lowest levels of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in their blood had more brain shrinkage (less white matter) than peers who had the highest levels of these seafood-based fats.
It seems that, as we age, omega-3s may have a protective effect against the fine particulate matter that is found in polluted air and can be neurotoxic. Worrisome is that analysis of diets suggests that most Americans consume less than half the amount of these brain-benefiting fats recommended by the World Health Organization and National Institutes of Health.
See also: Healthy Food, Healthy Planet
Matthew Kadey, MS, RD
Matthew Kadey, MS, RD, is a James Beard Award–winning food journalist, dietitian and author of the cookbook Rocket Fuel: Power-Packed Food for Sport + Adventure (VeloPress 2016). He has written for dozens of magazines, including Runner’s World, Men’s Health, Shape, Men’s Fitness and Muscle and Fitness.
