SUNDAY, July 13, (News Locale) - Experts have long waxed eloquent about how a balanced diet is essential for protecting the heart. However a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles has revealed that eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly may also guard againt failing memory and onset of mental disorders. 

Fernando Gsmez-Pinilla, professor of neurosurgery and physiological science at the University of California LA reported his findings in the July issue of the journal Nature Reviews Neuroscience. He revealed food was like a drug for the brain.

He added diet, exercise and sleep have the potential to alter brain health and mental function. Professor Gsmez-Pinilla has analyzed more than 160 studies regarding the affect of food on brain health. He stressed the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet and revealed they may be useful in combating depression, mood disorders, schizophrenia, and dementia.

These findings held true even in kids. An Australian study involving 396 children ages six to 12 years demonstrated the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in verbal intelligence and learning and memory. Kids who were given a drink with omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients had higher scores when compared to kids who did not receive the drink.

Gomez-Pinilla also said foods like blueberries have high antioxidant content and can protect the brain from damage. “This raises the exciting possibility that changes in diet are a viable strategy for enhancing cognitive abilities, protecting the brain from damage and counteracting the effects of ageing," he said in a released statement on EurekAlert.

Omega-3 fatty acids like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are essential for the neural development. These fatty acids are found in abundance in salmon, walnuts and kiwi fruit. Consumers must always remember a balanced diet is the key for better overall health, but as the above paper suggests, it may help preserve brain health as well.
 

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