Upping your fish intake can help your brain stay healthy, wealthy and wise

Cerebrovascular disease is a medical condition that affects the blood vessels and blood circulation in the brain, and it can lead to severe ailments like stroke and vascular malformation. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cerebrovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in the world. In addition to causing physical disability, cerebrovascular diseases can result in the development and progression of cognitive impairment and dementia.

However, the risk of this disorder can be lowered by making healthy lifestyle modifications like dietary changes, increasing physical activity and not smoking. Sounds doable, right? And a new study has revealed that just a few extra servings of fish every week can change the whole game!

A cross-sectional study, published in the journal Neurology, investigated the link between fish consumption and vascular brain damage in healthy older adults before cerebrovascular disease onset. The analysis involved 1,623 people with an average age of 72.3 years. Weekly diet of the participants included meat, fish, fruits and vegetables, legumes, and cereals.

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The results showed that participants who consumed fish two or more times per week had lower combined levels of cerebrovascular disease markers than those who didn't.

The study’s lead author Dr. Cecilia Samieri said that the study revealed a simple solution of eating two or more servings of fish each week to avoid the risk of brain lesions and other markers of vascular brain damage.

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