Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for human health. Evidence demonstrates that omega-3 fatty acids may also be beneficial against heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other conditions. A new study demonstrates that dietary consumption of omega-3 fatty acids in fish may help protect the brain from damage induced by particulate matter in air pollution.
Particulate matter is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets. It is present in fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrograms or less. Some evidence suggests that exposure to particulate air pollutants accelerates aging.
The observational study involved more than 1,300 women between the ages of 65 and 80 years who were dementia-free at the time of enrollment. The authors of the study determined the approximate levels of particulate matter to which the women were exposed over a three-year period based on their addresses. They measured omega-3 fatty acid concentrations in the women’s red blood cells and measured brain white matter volume in the women’s brains via imaging studies. The women completed questionnaires about their weekly dietary intake of baked or broiled seafood or fish.
The brain imaging studies revealed that particulate matter exposure was associated with white matter and hippocampal volume losses. These losses were particularly noticeable among women with the lowest levels of omega-3s in their red blood cells.
The findings from this study indicate that dietary intake of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids may be protective against brain losses associated with air pollutant exposure. Another dietary compound that might offer protection from air pollutant is sulforaphane, a bioactive compound derived from cruciferous vegetables. Watch this clip in which sulforaphane expert Dr. Jed Fahey describes how sulforaphane provides protection from benzene, a carcinogenic compound present in air pollution.