If you eat more fish or omega-3-enriched eggs, you may have a better chance of avoiding Alzheimer's disease years down the road. Research led by experts at the University of Guelph found that Alzheimer's sufferers, and other elderly patients with cognitive impairments, have lower blood levels of DHA than people with normal cognitive functioning. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid in fish that already has been found to reduce the risk of heart disease, depression and attention deficit disorder. It's concentrated in oily fish such as salmon and tuna, fish oils and omega-3-enriched eggs.
Scientists from Guelph University and Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre in Toronto examined the blood of 70 subjects in the Toronto area. The findings don't prove that more DHA would prevent the disease. In the meantime, it's a smart idea to increase consumption of fish to at least two servings a week, or four omega-3-enriched eggs a week. The lead researcher believes that people are not getting anywhere near the DHA they should. The recommended daily allowance for people aged 25 to 49 is 1.5 grams a day of omega-3 fatty acids, of which DHA is one.
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