Adults Healthy Aging

For Adults: Healthy Aging

Omega-3 fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and

are important for cognitive (brain memory and performance)

and behavioral function. A recent study showed those 65 years

and older who consumed higher levels of omega-3 over a

six-year period had a slower rate of decline in their cognitive

scoring with age.

A clinical trial of omega-3’s effect on cognitive performance

in healthy adults in their 30s showed omega-3 supplementation

over a month improved their moods. They had increased

energy, and decreased anger, anxiety, fatigue, depression

and confusion. In addition, healthy, middle-age adults taking

omega-3 supplements had better performance on cognitive

testing of nonverbal reasoning and mental flexibility, working

memory and vocabulary.

Bumping up omega-3 intake also protects against age-related

hearing loss. In a study, participants who ate more omega-3

over five years had a lower risk of developing this hearing loss

than those who ate less omega-3.

Eyes get a health boost from omega-3, too. New research

shows that regular consumption of omega-3 can reduce the

risk of vision loss from age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

by 45 percent. This may be due to omega-3’s ability to maintain

or improve blood flow in the eye.

For Kids: Brain Development

Omega-3 plays an important role in normal brain development

of the unborn, infants and young children.

Recent studies show women who have an adequate intake of

omega-3 during pregnancy may lower the risk of their babies

growing to be obese as children by nearly a third. On the other

hand, omega-3 deficiencies during pregnancy and the early

months of infancy can cause developmental problems in the

baby’s nervous system and vision.

Omega-3 helps maximize brain development and cognitive

function to help children do their best in school, too.

A study of school children showed overall grades were significantly

higher (by 15 percent) in those who consumed omega-3

from fish more than once per week compared to those who

consumed less than one serving per week.

In addition, a clinical study of nearly 100 boys showed those

with lower levels of omega-3s had more learning and

behavioral problems such as temper tantrums and sleep disturbances

than boys with normal omega-3 levelshttps://rcnaegle.reliv.com