Cognitive Performance & Fish Intake (2007)

This study examined the relationship between cognitive performance & fish intake. The study included 2,031 elderly Norwegians. The researchers report those eating at least 10 grams of fish a day performed significantly better in tests for cognitive performance, compared with people who ate less than 10 grams of fish and fish products. The best test scores occurred in those who consumed the most fish and fish products, which equates to 75 grams per day. Positive effects were observed to be more pronounced in unprocessed fish compared with processed fish intake. Interestingly, there was no significant difference between the consumption of lean or fatty fish, suggesting that the effects were due to something other than omega-3 fatty acids. However, further research is required to explore this area further.

Click here for the abstract

Nurk E et al., ‘Cognitive performance among the elderly and dietary fish intake: the Hordaland Health Study’, Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Nov;86(5):1470-8

Omega 3 & Cognitive Decline (2007)

This study investigated omega 3 & cognitive decline. This was a prospective study of 2,000 people aged 50 to 65 years old. Results indicated that risk of global cognitive decline increased with elevated palmitic acid in both fractions and with high arachidonic acid and low linoleic acid in cholesteryl esters. Higher n-3 HUFAs reduced the risk of decline in verbal fluency, particularly in hypertensive and dyslipidemic subjects.

M A Beydoun, ‘Plasma n-3 fatty acids and the risk of cognitive decline in older adults: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study’, Am J Clin Nutr., vol 85(4):1103-1111, 2007

Click here for the abstract

Calcium & Cognitive Decline (2007)

A total of 4,500 elderly people were involved in a 5-11 year study of the effects of blood calcium levels on cognitive decline. Cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and other measures of attention and memory. Higher levels of blood calcium (but still within the normal levels) was associated with worse cognitive function at the beginning of the study. They were also associated with a faster rate of decline in cognitive function during follow-up.

Schram MT et al, ‘Serum calcium and cognitive function in old age’, J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007 Nov;55(11):1786-92

Click here for the abstract

Folic Acid & Cognition (2007)

This study explored folic acid & cognition. In this study, over 1000 elderly people who were not having problems with their memory or mental function underwent a battery of tests. These tests showed that those with the highest blood levels of folic acid scored the best on tests of their ‘global cognitive function’ and ‘psychomotor speed’ – essentially their mental agility. These findings require further investigations to determine their relevance in subjects with dementia.

de Lau LM et al. ‘Plasma folate concentration and cognitive performance: Rotterdam Scan Study,’ Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Sep;86(3):728-34

Click here for the abstract

Folic Acid & Memory (2007)

This study investigated folic acid & memory. Absent-mindedness in the over-50s is significantly improved when people take folic acid supplements, according to this large study. Short-term memory, mental agility and verbal fluency tests were all better among people who took the supplement for three years, compared with a group given a placebo.

J Durga et al, ‘Effect of 3-year folic acid supplementation on cognitive function in older adults in the FACIT trial: a randomised, double blind, controlled trial ‘, The Lancet; 369:208-216, 2007

Click here for the abstract.

Fish Oil & Cognitive Decline (2007)

This study investigated fish oil & cognitive decline. 210 men aged 70 to 89 years old were followed for 5 years. There was a significant association between intake of fish oil (EPA and DHA) from diet and rate of cognitive decline, with those taking in the most fish oil from oily fish showing the least decline. The measure of decline used the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) which includes questions on orientation to time and place, registration, attention and calculation, recall, language, and visual construction.

B M van Gelder et al, ‘Fish consumption, n-3 fatty acids, and subsequent 5-y cognitive decline in elderly men: the Zutphen Elderly Study’ American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol (85)4; 1142-1147, 2007

Click here for the abstract

Microbiome, Anxiety & Depression (2011)

This study investigated the microbiome, anxiety & depression. It is understood that there is constant communication between the gut and the brain (the gut-brain axis). In this study, mice were fed a strain of probiotic (gut bacteria) or placebo. The mice who received the probiotics showed significantly fewer stress, anxiety and depression-related behaviours than the unsupplemented mice (controls).  Not only was their behaviour different, but their levels of stress hormones were lower too. The researchers also observed altered GABA activity in the brains of the supplemented mice, suggesting a direct effect on brain chemistry.

Bravo JA, Forsythe P, Chew MV, Escaravage E, Savignac HM, Dinan TG, Bienenstock J, Cryan JF. (2011) Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression in a mouse via the vagus nerve. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. Aug 29. [Epub ahead of print]

Click here for abstract

Breakfast & Cognition (2006)

This study examined the relationship between consumption of breakfast  & cognition. Subjects included 7,343 10th grade students from Oslo, Norway who completed a questionnaire assessing these variables. The main finding from this study was that eating breakfast regularly is associated with less mental distress and improved academic performance. The association was stronger for boys, than girls.

Lien, L., ‘Is breakfast consumption related to mental distress and academic performance in adolescents?’, Public Health Nutrition, 10(4), 422-428, 2006 July

Click here for the abstract

Depression & Processed Foods (2009)

This study investigated depression & processed foods. Eating a diet high in processed food increases the risk of depression, according to a recent study.  Data on diet among 3,500 middle-aged civil servants was compared with self reported depression five years later. Those in the ‘whole food’ (plenty of vegetables, fruit and fish) group had a lower risk of depression compared with those who had a high consumption of processed foods, the University College London team found.  The team said the study was the first to look at the UK diet and depression.

Click here for the abstract

Akbaraly, T. N., Brunner, E. J., Ferrie, J. E., Marmot, M. G., Kivimaki, M., & Singh-Manoux, A. (2009). Dietary pattern and depressive symptoms in middle age. The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science, 195(5), 408–413. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.108.058925

Fish Oil & Depression (2011)

This study investigated fish oil & depression. Moderate dose of Omega-3 fish oil was observed to improve mood in depressed elderly. In this small randomised controlled trial, a group of elderly people with mild to moderate depression were given either a fish oil capsule (with 300mg of the omega-3 essential fats EPA and DHA) or a placebo for six months. The researchers found that intervention with the fish oil was clinically effective.

Click here for the abstract