What Is the Omega-3 Index? Understanding Your Omega-3 Status

What Is the Omega-3 Index? Understanding Your Omega-3 Status

We often hear about the importance of omega-3 for brain health. From oily fish to fish oil supplements, we’re encouraged to make sure we’re getting enough of these essential fats. But how do you know whether you’re actually getting enough? The answer isn’t always as simple as looking at what you eat. One useful measure to assess your levels is the omega-3 index.

Two people can follow similar diets, or even take the same omega-3 supplement, and still have different levels of omega-3 in their blood. That’s where the Omega-3 Index comes in. This blood test measures your levels of two important omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, giving you a clearer picture of your omega-3 status. And with growing research exploring the relationship between omega-3 levels and brain health (1, 2), understanding your own status could be a useful step towards making more informed choices about your nutrition.

What is the Omega-3 Index?

The Omega-3 Index measures the amount of two long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), found in the membranes of your red blood cells. Both play important roles in the body, particularly when it comes to brain health. DHA is a major structural component of the brain, helping to maintain the membranes surrounding nerve cells. EPA is involved in several biological processes, including those that help regulate inflammation.

Your Omega-3 Index is expressed as a percentage. For example, a result of 6% means that EPA and DHA together make up 6% of the fatty acids measured in your red blood cell membranes. Unlike a snapshot of what you’ve eaten recently, the Omega-3 Index gives an indication of your omega-3 status over the previous few months (3). This makes it a useful way to understand whether your diet is providing enough of these important long-chain omega-3 fats.

Why does your omega-3 status matter for brain health?

Our brains are rich in fat. In fact, fats are essential to the structure and function of the billions of nerve cells that allow us to think, remember, learn and communicate. DHA is particularly important because it forms part of the membranes of brain cells, helping to maintain their structure and function.

But the interest in omega-3 goes beyond its structural role, as researchers have been investigating whether the amount of omega-3 in our blood is linked to how well our brains age. A growing body of research suggests that higher levels of omega-3 may be associated with better cognitive health and a lower risk of cognitive decline (1, 2). For example, a study published in Brain Sciences in 2023 (1) explored the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids, cognitive performance and brain volume in older adults.

The findings added to the evidence suggesting that omega-3 status may be relevant to maintaining brain health as we age. However, there’s an important distinction to make. Finding a link between higher omega-3 levels and better brain health doesn’t necessarily mean that taking more and more omega-3 will prevent dementia. Rather, it suggests that maintaining an optimal level is supportive for the ageing brain (and, we would argue, at all ages). What the research does suggest is that omega-3 status is worth paying attention to as part of a broader approach to protecting our brain health.

What is a healthy Omega-3 Index?

So, once you’ve measured your Omega-3 Index, what does the number actually mean? Researchers have proposed several ranges to help interpret omega-3 status (4). An Omega-3 Index of 8% or above is often considered a desirable target, based largely on research into cardiovascular health (4).

Some studies (1, 2) have also found associations between higher omega-3 levels and better cognitive outcomes. However, researchers have not yet established an ideal Omega-3 Index specifically for preventing cognitive decline or dementia. Based on what we know and with input from our omega-3 experts on the Scientific Advisory Board, we think levels between 8–12% are optimal for supporting the brain. It’s therefore more helpful to think of your result as a window into your nutritional status, rather than a score that determines how healthy your brain is. If you’ve already taken a test and would like to understand more about your results, visit our Omega-3 Index FAQs.

Why might your omega-3 levels be lower than you think?

You might eat healthily, take supplements and still find that your Omega-3 Index is lower than expected. This is the case for many of our customers and research participants.

‘As a strict vegetarian since age 13, I was interested to see what my omega-3 levels were. I was surprised to find my levels were low despite having plenty of healthy fats in my diet. I have since added a vegan omega-3 supplement more consistently each day, and have noticed a big difference in my concentration and focus.’ Emma

There are several reasons why this can happen.

You may not be getting enough EPA and DHA

Oily fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and herring are among the richest dietary sources of these long-chain omega-3 fats. However, many people don’t eat oily fish regularly or are long term vegetarians like Emma above.

Not all omega-3 supplements are the same

The amount of EPA and DHA varies considerably between supplements. A capsule labelled as containing 1,000 mg of fish oil doesn’t necessarily provide 1,000 mg of EPA and DHA. It’s the amounts of EPA and DHA that matter when assessing your intake of these particular omega-3 fatty acids.

Plant-based omega-3 is different

Foods such as flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts contain ALA, a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid. While the body can convert some ALA into EPA and DHA, this process is limited, particularly for DHA (5). For people who don’t eat fish, algae-derived omega-3 supplements can provide a direct source of DHA and, in some formulations, EPA. You can learn more in our article on algae oil versus fish oil.

We’re all different

Our genetics, metabolism and individual response to dietary fats can also influence omega-3 status. This helps explain why two people following similar diets may have different Omega-3 Index results.

How can you measure your omega-3 levels?

One way to understand your omega-3 status is through a blood test. The Omega-3 Index measures the proportion of EPA and DHA in your red blood cell membranes, providing an indication of your longer-term omega-3 status (3). At Food for the Brain, we’re interested in understanding how nutritional factors, including omega-3, relate to cognitive health.

Our at-home Omega-3 Index test allows you to collect a small blood sample using a finger-prick kit, which is then sent for laboratory analysis. Your results can help you understand your current omega-3 status and consider whether changes to your diet or supplementation may be appropriate. Find out more about the Food for the Brain Omega-3 Index Test.

Can you improve your omega-3 status?

The encouraging news is that your omega-3 status isn’t fixed. What you eat can make a difference. Eating oily fish more regularly or choosing an appropriate EPA- and DHA-containing supplement can help increase your Omega-3 Index over time (3). However, the amount needed to achieve a particular result varies from person to person.

Because red blood cells have a lifespan of around 120 days, changes in your omega-3 intake are reflected gradually in your Omega-3 Index (3). It may take approximately three to four months to see the fuller effect of a sustained dietary change. This is one reason why measuring your omega-3 status can be useful. Rather than relying entirely on assumptions about your intake, you can see how your body responds over time. If you’re considering taking omega-3 supplements, particularly at higher doses or if you take medication, it’s worth discussing this with a qualified healthcare professional. For more guidance, explore our omega-3 supplements guide.

What does the research tell us about omega-3 and brain ageing?

At Food for the Brain, we believe that understanding the role of nutrition is an important part of the conversation about protecting brain health. Omega-3 fatty acids have attracted considerable scientific interest because of their role in brain structure and function. Research has explored whether higher omega-3 blood levels are associated with better memory, healthier brain ageing and a reduced risk of dementia (1, 2). A 2023 study published in Brain Sciences, for example, investigated associations between omega-3 fatty acids, cognitive performance and brain volume in older adults (1). Other studies have examined the relationship between omega-3 status and dementia risk, with some reporting encouraging associations (2).

While these findings are promising, the evidence is not yet conclusive. Clinical trials have not consistently shown that omega-3 supplementation prevents cognitive decline or dementia (6). What we do know is that nutrition is one of several factors that can influence long-term brain health. Omega-3 is part of that picture, alongside B vitamins, physical activity, sleep, cardiovascular health and other lifestyle factors. Understanding your omega-3 status can help you make more informed nutritional choices, but it is not a test of your cognitive health or a way to predict whether you will develop dementia.

A small test that can tell you more about your nutrition

Most of us have a reasonable idea of whether we’re eating enough fruit and vegetables or getting regular exercise. But when it comes to omega-3, it’s much harder to know where we stand. You might be eating oily fish occasionally, taking a supplement or relying on plant-based sources, without knowing how much EPA and DHA is actually reflected in your blood. The Omega-3 Index offers a way to find out.

It’s not a guarantee against cognitive decline, and it’s certainly not the only measure that matters for brain health. But it can provide a useful piece of information about your nutritional status and help you make decisions based on evidence rather than guesswork. At Food for the Brain, our mission is to help people better understand the role of nutrition and lifestyle in maintaining cognitive health throughout life. Understanding your omega-3 status is one way to become more informed about the nutrients that support your brain.

Discover your Omega-3 Index

Have more questions about your omega-3 results?

Whether you’re wondering what your results mean, how often to test or how to improve your omega-3 levels, we’ve put together answers to some of the questions we hear most often.

Visit our Omega-3 Index FAQs to find out more about testing and understanding your omega-3 status.

Thank you for reading!
Food for the Brain is a not-for-profit educational and research charity that offers a free Cognitive Function Test™ and assesses your Dementia Risk Index to be able to advise you on how to dementia-proof your diet and lifestyle.

By completing the Cognitive Function Test you are joining our grassroots research initiative to find out what really works for preventing cognitive decline. We share our ongoing research results with you to help you make brain-friendly choices.

Please support our research by becoming a FRIEND of Food for the Brain.

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Omega-3 and B Vitamins: Nutrients That May Slow Brain Shrinkage
How to Keep Building Brain Cells at Any Age

By Patrick Holford

What does any animal, perhaps your dog, do after exercising or going for a walk?

Sleep.

Sleep is how the brain recovers. There is now overwhelming evidence that sleep is a ‘brain essential’ and just like Goldilocks, it seems we need just the right amount. Getting too much, or too little, increases our risk for cognitive decline.

The optimal amount of sleep for brain health appears to be a total of seven hours. This does not necessarily need to be in one uninterrupted stretch – a study found that napping after physical activity can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment (1).

However, those consistently getting less than seven hours of sleep may be doubling their risk of age-related cognitive decline (2). A UK study of Whitehall civil servants, which began in the 1980s, found that persistent short sleep at ages 50, 60, and 70 was associated with a 30% increased risk of dementia (3). Sleep loss does not just increase long-term dementia risk – it also reduces empathy, increases negative emotions, and impairs next-day functioning (4).

Why Sleep Is Essential to Brain Health?

Think of sleep as the brain’s housekeeper. During sleep, circulation of blood and cerebrospinal fluid improves, helping to clear out waste products from brain metabolism (5). These include harmful oxidants and amyloid protein, the latter linked to Alzheimer’s and brain inflammation – which can begin accumulating after just one night of poor sleep (6).

One key agent in this nightly brain cleanse is melatonin. As night falls, our brains convert serotonin into melatonin, primarily in the pineal gland – referred to by Descartes as the seat of the soul, and known in yoga as the ‘third eye’ chakra.

Sensitive to light via receptors behind the eyes, the pineal gland is the only endocrine organ in direct contact with the external world. Darkness triggers melatonin production, while exposure to light – including screen use before bed – suppresses it.

Melatonin helps keep us in sync with the circadian cycle. Some frequent flyers even use melatonin supplements to overcome jet lag and adjust their sleep rhythms more easily (7).

More than just a sleep aid, melatonin acts as a powerful antioxidant – disarming damaging oxidants, restoring mitochondrial energy production, and acting as an anti-inflammatory. It has been used to support recovery in cancer, COVID-19, and cardiovascular conditions (8,9). Reduced brain melatonin levels and circadian disruption are also observed in individuals with cognitive decline.

Why Dreaming Matters?

Sleep isn’t just for rest – it’s a deeply active process. About 30 minutes after falling asleep, we enter deep sleep, marked by slower breathing, a reduced heart rate, and lower blood pressure. This phase restores and repairs bodily tissues. About 90 minutes in, we shift into REM (rapid eye movement) sleep – where most dreaming occurs.

REM sleep is critical for brain health. Each night, we cycle between deep, light, and REM sleep three to five times, with REM ideally making up about 25% of total sleep.

REM and deep sleep phases also see increased production of growth hormone, which supports tissue repair. Meanwhile, melatonin helps clear metabolic waste. However, under stress, cortisol levels rise and suppress REM sleep and growth hormone production, reducing the brain’s ability to recover. Sleep-deprived individuals tend to experience more REM when they finally do sleep, suggesting REM plays a key role in emotional processing.

One theory suggests that dreams help us metabolise suppressed emotions – fear, anger, sadness – stored during our busy days. If you have a vivid, emotional dream, it may be worth tracing it back to unresolved feelings from the previous day.

How Chronic Stress Disrupts Sleep and Brain Function?

Chronic or intense stress – such as bereavement, illness, or financial strain – has been shown to increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia (10). However, good sleep can help process a stressful day.

The perception of control matters, too. Studies show that high job demands combined with low control are strongly linked to an increased risk of depression and cognitive impairment (11). Examples might include caregiving for a loved one with dementia while navigating health services, or working in a high-stress job without the resources to make meaningful changes.

Your Brain on Cortisol: The Hippocampus Feedback Loop

Two hormones mediate stress: adrenaline (short-acting) and cortisol (longer-acting). Adrenaline prepares you to act quickly – it’s the fight-or-flight hormone. Cortisol helps regulate energy and alertness throughout the day.

In the morning, cortisol naturally rises to get us going. It should fall in the evening to support sleep. But chronic stress disrupts this rhythm. If cortisol stays high at night, sleep is disturbed. If it’s too low in the morning, you may feel foggy and reach for caffeine.

Excess cortisol impairs memory, slows thinking, lowers social functioning, and raises the risk of dementia (12). What’s happening in the brain is that cortisol overstimulates the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory and emotional regulation. With prolonged stress, this feedback loop fails – the hippocampus shrinks, and cortisol levels remain elevated, accelerating brain ageing.

Taking a break from alcohol gives you an opportunity to interrupt this cycle. Find out what happens when you give your brain a Dry January, and why the benefits can show up surprisingly quickly.

Short-Term Relief, Long-Term Harm: Sugar and Alcohol as Stress Crutches

Oscar Ichazo described how we reach for compensations under stress. Unfortunately, many – like alcohol and sugar – backfire.

Alcohol temporarily boosts GABA, calming the nervous system and reducing adrenaline. But the effect is short-lived. Drinking too much reduces GABA receptor sensitivity the next day, leaving us more anxious. In the long term, alcohol is neurotoxic and increases dementia risk (12). It also disrupts sleep architecture, impairing the brain’s ability to repair itself.

Sugar triggers dopamine and activates the brain’s reward circuits, making us crave more. It also spikes the adrenal system, amplifying stress and cortisol levels (13). Fats and proteins do not have this effect – this is unique to sugar.

So, when we use sugar or alcohol to manage stress, we often wake up feeling more anxious and foggy. This leads us to reach for caffeine and more sugar, which spikes cortisol again, leaving us even more depleted by evening – creating a cycle of stress, poor sleep, and accelerated brain ageing.

Simple Ways to Break the Cycle

The good news? You can reverse this pattern. Start here:

Become a FRIEND and get access to your personalised COGNITION® programme which which includes:
– A whole module dedicated to sleep and calm
– Another focused on helping you reduce sugar
– Plus monthly live group coaching to help you stay focused and on track
Prioritise seven hours of quality sleep each night.
Identify and reduce common stress triggers.
Be mindful of alcohol and sugar intake.
Find positive outlets: yoga, walking, journaling, a good book – like Upgrade Your Brain.

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Thank you for reading!
Food for the Brain is a non-for-profit educational and research charity that offers a free Cognitive Function Test and assesses your Dementia Risk Index to be able to advise you on how to dementia-proof your diet and lifestyle.

By completing the Cognitive Function Test you are joining our grassroots research initiative to find out what really works for preventing cognitive decline. We share our ongoing research results with you to help you make brain-friendly choices.

Please support our research by becoming a Friend of Food for the Brain.

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References:

¹ Qian YX, Ma QH, Sun HP, Xu Y, Pan CW. Combined effect of three common lifestyle factors on cognitive impairment among older Chinese adults: a community-based, cross-sectional survey. Psychogeriatrics. 2020 Nov;20(6):844-849. doi: 10.1111/psyg.12604. Epub 2020 Aug 31. PMID: 32869429.

² Bubu OM, Brannick M, Mortimer J, Umasabor-Bubu O, Sebastião YV, Wen Y, Schwartz S, Borenstein AR, Wu Y, Morgan D, Anderson WM. Sleep, Cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sleep. 2017 Jan 1;40(1). doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsw032. PMID: 28364458.

³ Sabia S, Fayosse A, Dumurgier J, van Hees VT, Paquet C, Sommerlad A, Kivimäki M, Dugravot A, Singh-Manoux A. Association of sleep duration in middle and old age with incidence of dementia. Nat Commun. 2021 Apr 20;12(1):2289. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-22354-2. PMID: 33879784; PMCID: PMC8058039.

⁴ Krause AJ, Simon EB, Mander BA, Greer SM, Saletin JM, Goldstein-Piekarski AN, Walker MP. The sleep-deprived human brain. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2017 Jul;18(7):404-418. doi: 10.1038/nrn.2017.55. Epub 2017 May 18. PMID: 28515433; PMCID: PMC6143346.

5⁶ Xie L, Kang H, Xu Q, Chen MJ, Liao Y, Thiyagarajan M, O’Donnell J, Christensen DJ, Nicholson C, Iliff JJ, Takano T, Deane R, Nedergaard M. Sleep drives metabolite clearance from the adult brain. Science. 2013 Oct 18;342(6156):373-7. doi: 10.1126/science.1241224. PMID: 24136970; PMCID: PMC3880190.

⁶ Shokri-Kojori E, Wang GJ, Wiers CE, Demiral SB, Guo M, Kim SW, Lindgren E, Ramirez V, Zehra A, Freeman C, Miller G, Manza P, Srivastava T, De Santi S, Tomasi D, Benveniste H, Volkow ND. β-Amyloid accumulation in the human brain after one night of sleep deprivation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 Apr 24;115(17):4483-4488. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1721694115. Epub 2018 Apr 9. PMID: 29632177; PMCID: PMC5924922.

⁷ Herxheimer A, Petrie KJ. Melatonin for the prevention and treatment of jet lag. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(2):CD001520. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001520. PMID: 12076414.

⁸ Keithahn C, Lerchl A. 5-hydroxytryptophan is a more potent in vitro hydroxyl radical scavenger than melatonin or vitamin C. J Pineal Res. 2005 Jan;38(1):62-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-079X.2004.00177.x. PMID: 15617538.

⁹ Chitimus DM, Popescu MR, Voiculescu SE, Panaitescu AM, Pavel B, Zagrean L, Zagrean AM. Melatonin’s Impact on Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Reprogramming in Homeostasis and Disease. Biomolecules. 2020 Aug 20;10(9):1211. doi: 10.3390/biom10091211. PMID: 32825327; PMCID: PMC7563541; regarding covid see also Tan DX, Reiter RJ. Mechanisms and clinical evidence to support melatonin’s use in severe COVID-19 patients to lower mortality. Life Sci. 2022 Apr 1;294:120368. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120368. Epub 2022 Jan 30. PMID: 35108568; PMCID: PMC8800937.; see also Begum R, Mamun-Or-Rashid ANM, Lucy TT, Pramanik MK, Sil BK, Mukerjee N, Tagde P, Yagi M, Yonei Y. Potential Therapeutic Approach of Melatonin against Omicron and Some Other Variants of SARS-CoV-2. Molecules. 2022 Oct 16;27(20):6934. doi: 10.3390/molecules27206934. PMID: 36296527; PMCID: PMC9609612.; regarding cancer see Reiter RJ, Rosales-Corral SA, Tan DX, Acuna-Castroviejo D, Qin L, Yang SF, Xu K. Melatonin, a Full Service Anti-Cancer Agent: Inhibition of Initiation, Progression and Metastasis. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Apr 17;18(4):843. doi: 10.3390/ijms18040843. PMID: 28420185; PMCID: PMC5412427.

¹0 Franks KH, Bransby L, Saling MM, Pase MP. Association of Stress with Risk of Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Alzheimers Dis. 2021;82(4):1573-1590. doi: 10.3233/JAD-210094. PMID: 34366334.

¹1 Wang HX, Wahlberg M, Karp A, Winblad B, Fratiglioni L. Psychosocial stress at work is associated with increased dementia risk in late life. Alzheimers Dement. 2012;8(2):114-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2011.03.001. PMID: 22404853; see also Gonzalez-Mulé, E., & Cockburn, B. S. (2021). This job is (literally) killing me: A moderated-mediated model linking work characteristics to mortality. Journal of Applied Psychology, 106(1), 140–151. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000501; see also Gonzalez-Mulé E, Kim MM, Ryu JW. A meta-analytic test of multiplicative and additive models of job demands, resources, and stress. J Appl Psychol. 2021 Sep;106(9):1391-1411. doi: 10.1037/apl0000840. Epub 2020 Sep 21. PMID: 32955269.

¹2 Ouanes S, Popp J. High Cortisol and the Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Review of the Literature. Front Aging Neurosci. 2019 Mar 1;11:43. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00043. PMID: 30881301; PMCID: PMC6405479.¹3 Gonzalez-Bono E, Rohleder N, Hellhammer DH, Salvador A, Kirschbaum C. Glucose but not protein or fat load amplifies the cortisol response to psychosocial stress. Horm Behav. 2002 May;41(3):328-33. doi: 10.1006/hbeh.2002.1766. PMID: 11971667.

Developing dementia is the second biggest health fear, after cancer. But what can you do about it? 

The conventional view is that genes play a big part and that factors under our control, including diet, lifestyle and health status, account for up to 40% of risk and therefore up to 40% of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed. Genes actually account for less than 1% of Alzheimer’s cases. But a new study from the UK BioBank, following 344,000 people over 15 years, estimates that “up to 73% of cases could be prevented” by targeting risk factors largely under our control. 

The authors of the study, published in the Nature Human Behaviour journal (1), investigated 210 modifiable risk factors. They found that increased hand grip strength (a good reflection of physical strength), increasing leisure or social activities or time spent in sports clubs or gyms, spending less time watching TV or on a computer, having better dental health, drinking more water, not dozing off in the day and sleeping between 7 to 9 hours a night, not smoking or being exposed to smoke and having better lung function were all associated with less risk of Alzheimer’s. Being unemployed, having a low income, having diabetes, high blood pressure or having had a stroke or brain injury all increased risk. Inheriting the so-called ‘Alzheimer’s gene’, ApoE4, didn’t make any significant difference to overall risk.

However, even this figure of 73% may be an underestimate as this study excluded blood test measures. “We have under-estimated the power of prevention,” says Professor David Smith from the University of Oxford, one of the study authors. “Even this figure of up to 73% of cases preventable could be higher if a person’s omega-3 and B vitamin status, measured by a blood test for homocysteine that any GP can do, were taken into account.”

While the BioBank study didn’t include blood test measures of either homocysteine or omega-3, scientists at the US National Institutes of Health have attributed 22% of the risk of Alzheimer’s to raised blood homocysteine and 22% to a lack of omega-3 (2). “These have been shown to predict risk but were beyond the scope of this study.” confirmed the study author, Professor Jin-Tai Yu from Shanghai’s Fudan University. “Homocysteine-lowering treatment with B vitamins, especially B12, is one of the most promising interventions for dementia prevention.” 

The Impact of B Vitamins & Omega-3

Professor Smith’s group at Oxford University tested the effects of giving B vitamins (B6, B12, folate) versus placebo to those with pre-dementia and found that the 10p a day supplements halved the rate of brain shrinkage in one year and virtually stopped further memory loss (3). “The greatest effect we found in our trial was in those in the top third of DHA blood levels (an omega-3 found in fish or fish oil supplements). Those with high DHA reduced their rate of brain shrinkage by 73%, down to the level normally seen in older people with loss of cognitive function. They also had virtually no further memory loss and almost a third ended the trial with no clinical dementia rating at all.”

The benefit of omega-3 was also confirmed in a major study this year of over 100,000 people, finding that increased omega-3 cut the risk of dementia or cognitive decline by around 20%. An increase in intake of omega-3 DHA of 200 mg decreased risk by almost a fifth (4). 

And here at Food for the Brain, we take prevention seriously.

Alzheimer’s is preventable, but not curable

We developed the free online Cognitive Function Test,  which includes a Dementia Risk Index questionnaire assessing your diet, omega-3 and B vitamin status, and lifestyle and an optional home-test kit for pinprick blood tests that will be available soon.

“Over 400,000 people have taken our validated Cognitive Function Test, which not only shows a person their cognitive status right now but also their future risk based on our Dementia Risk Index questionnaire, the factors driving future risk and what they can easily do right now to lower it. If all modifiable risk factors are taken into account, including B vitamins and omega-3, it is highly likely a person could reduce risk by over 80%.” says our CEO, Patrick Holford.

“The government has pledged £160 million a year for dementia prevention research but we are not seeing any of this going into easy prevention wins. Most seem to be fueling drug research for an apparent ‘cure’.

Alzheimer’s is preventable, but not curable. You cannot reverse holes in the brain. With over 200,000 people diagnosed every year with dementia, if prevention were taken seriously we could halve the number of people developing this terrible, but preventable disease.”

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Thank you for reading!
Food for the Brain is a non-for-profit educational and research charity that offers a free Cognitive Function Test and assesses your Dementia Risk Index to be able to advise you on how to dementia-proof your diet and lifestyle.

By completing the Cognitive Function Test you are joining our grassroots research initiative to find out what really works for preventing cognitive decline. We share our ongoing research results with you to help you make brain-friendly choices.

Please support our research by becoming a Friend of Food for the Brain.

———

References

¹ Zhang, Y., et al. Nature Human Behaviour. 2023 7, 1185–1195

² Beydoun MA., et al. BMC Public Health. 2014 Jun 24;14:643.

 Jernerén F., et al. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Jul;102(1):215-21.

³ Oulhaj A., et al. J Alzheimers Dis. 2016;50(2):547-57.

⁴ Wei B., et al. Am J Clin Nutr 2023 Jun;117(6):1096-1109.