Fat Fix Puts the Brakes on Brain Aging

Your lifestyle is the biggest factor affecting your health.

But if you have a genetic predisposition to a particular disease or condition, you might need to amp up the preventive measures you put into practice.

For example, some people carry the APOE4 gene, which is known to increase Alzheimer’s risk.

Well, researchers have identified a specific lifestyle change for folks with this gene—and it can significantly slow signs of brain aging.

Dietary fat gets a bad rap.

But the truth is your body NEEDS fat for everything from hormone production to skin health to nutrient absorption.

One particular type of fat is also critical for your brain health; a new study perfectly illustrates that.

For the study, researchers focused on 102 people over 75 who didn’t have dementia but did have white matter lesions.

In addition…

• they all had low omega-3 fatty acid levels, plus
• 28 volunteers also had the APOE4 gene.

Since white matter helps the regions of your brain communicate, damage in these areas can lead to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s (among other things).

The participants took 1.65 grams of omega-3s or a placebo daily for three years.

The omega-3s significantly slowed down the rate of neuronal integrity breakdown in those who were at a higher risk of Alzheimer’s.

In other words, omega-3s may slow brain aging in high-risk individuals.

But regardless of whether you have this gene or not, omega-3s are good for your brain. Research confirms they can improve memory, learning, and overall cognitive health.

My favorite way to get omega-3s is from fatty fish like salmon and anchovies.

But if you’re not a fan of fish—or if you’re at a higher risk of Alzheimer’s—you might want to consider a high-quality fish oil supplement.

Just ensure it’s from a reputable brand like Life Extension—and pay attention to the expiration dates.

Fish oil can go rancid, and taking rancid fish oil could lead to the same issues you’re trying to prevent.

Of course, no plan is foolproof. But the more positive choices you make for your health, the better your chances of beating the odds.

P.S. This brain cell “gatekeeper” could STOP Alzheimer’s in its tracks.

SOURCE:

Shinto LH, Murchison CF, Silbert LC, et al. ω-3 PUFA for Secondary Prevention of White Matter Lesions and Neuronal Integrity Breakdown in Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(8):e2426872. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.26872