Many people believe there is nothing worse than to look at your
own family and not recognize who they are. This is an effect of
Alzheimer's disease, a chronic form of dementia, which results
in severe memory loss and eventually death.
During the course of this disease, there is an overproduction of
the protein beta-amyloid, which accumulates in the brain. This protein
produces free radicals, known as oxidants, which can cause cumulative
damage to brain cells.
There is no cure for this disease and no one is sure of its causes;
however, researchers may have discovered a way to ward it off: Eating
fish. According to a number of scientific studies, those who frequently
eat fish may be able to prevent Alzheimer's from attacking,
or at least hold it off for a number of years.
The brain-saving protection of fish can be accredited to certain
fats called omega-3 fatty acids. Moreover, unless one is eating
fish every day, they are not getting enough of these fatty acids.
The fish that contain high amounts of beneficial fats include:
- Salmon
- Sardines
- Herring
- Tuna
- Mackerel
These findings have altered the way Americans shop and eat. Seafood
consumption levels have increased from 15.6 pounds consumed per
person in 2002, to 16.3 pounds in 2003.
Experts blame the high-fat American diet for the widespread occurrence
of Alzheimer's. In Japan, where people traditionally eat low-fat
foods and fish on a regular basis, the Alzheimer rates are significantly
lower. Consequently, researchers found that those who eat fish at
least once a week are at a 60 percent reduced risk of developing
Alzheimer's.
Researchers warn that there are certain species of fish that are
not good to eat, as they are likely contaminated with mercury. These
species include:
- Shark
- Swordfish
- King mackerel
USA Today November 17, 2004
EurekAlert
November 16, 2004
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