New Omega-3 Test Predicts Cognitive Ability

The new Omega-3 test predicts cognitive ability. Hello everyone, I hope you are well. In today’s post, I will be sharing a press release on the launch of a new Omega-3 home test that can predict your cognitive ability, dementia risk, brain size, and intelligence. Foodforthebrain.org, a charity dedicated to researching cognitive function and helping people reduce their risk of dementia, is launching, on October 31st, a new ‘do it at home’ pinprick blood test for omega-3.

Multiple studies have found that the higher a person’s omega-3 index in their blood, the more white matter there is in their brain, and the better they perform on cognitive tests that predict their dementia risk—the better the performance, the lower the risk. The only way to test your omega-3 levels is with a blood test, and as omega-3 is essential for brain health, the charity has launched its first do-it-at-home pinprick blood test.

New Omega-3 Test Predicts Cognitive Ability

A new ‘do it at home’ pinprick blood test for omega-3 can predict your cognitive ability, dementia risk, brain size, and intelligence.

Foodforthebrain.org, a charity dedicated to researching cognitive function and helping people look after their brain and reduce their risk of dementia and other brain-related health challenges, has today (October 31st) launched a new ‘do it at home’ pinprick blood test for omega-3.

Multiple studies, including a new study by psychologists at Linda Loma University in California and published in the journal Brain Sciences[1], have found that the higher a person’s omega-3 index was in their blood, the more white matter there was in their brain. The better they performed on cognitive tests that predict less risk for dementia,

FoodfortheBrain.org has launched an easy, do-it-yourself, home pinprick test for accurately determining omega-3 levels, which is a vital brain health indicator.

Research

Research also shows that the test can predict brain size and intelligence.

The California study found that omega-3 levels accurately predicted both cognitive function and the risk of dementia (the higher the level, the lower the risk). It also predicted the brain volume and cognitive abilities of older, healthy people on tests of memory and speed of thought (the higher the level, the bigger their brain volume and the faster their thinking).

“This confirms previous growing evidence that a person’s omega-3 index, which is a composite score of the two main brain-friendly omega-3 fats found in seafood, called EPA and DHA, predicts both the risk for depression[2] and dementia[3], and poorer reading ability, lower IQ, worse memory, difficulty sleeping, aggression and emotional instability in children – hallmarks of ADHD [4].” says Patrick Holford, founder of FoodfortheBrain.org.

The Omega-3 index, which should be above 8%, also predicts the risk for heart disease[5] and developmental problems in babies from measures taken by women before and during pregnancy. “Pregnant women with a higher omega-3 index have a much lower risk of having a baby with developmental problems, according to research at Imperial College London from the Institute of Brain Chemistry at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital campus,” adds Holford. “It is wise for a woman considering pregnancy to check her omega-3 index and ensure it is above 8%.”

The Home Test Kit

FoodfortheBrain.org’s home test kit includes a cognitive function test and a lifestyle questionnaire that can identify changes to lower dementia risk. E’s blood levels of omega-3 with cognitive function to work out precisely what the optimal intake of omega-3 for brain health is,” explains Holford.

While there is a type of omega-3 fat (called linolenic acid) in green leafy vegetables, walnuts, chia, and flax seeds, its conversion into EPA and DHA is poor. Different people have different abilities to turn plant-based omega-3s into EPA, which is linked to better mood, and DHA, which is the central brain-building omega-3 fat linked to a lower risk of memory loss and dementia with age. The charity hopes to determine whether other factors, such as age, sex, alcohol consumption, and dietary habits other than seafood intake, affect the ability to make the brain-friendly types of omega-3 measured in this test.

Marine Foods

The intake of marine foods has continued to decline over the past hundred years, and countries with the lowest intake have the highest risk for depression[6], dementia[7] and suicide[8]. Even the homicide rate is linked to a country’s omega-3 intake, according to World Health Organisation data[9].

“Less than 5 percent of children achieve the basic government guidelines for eating fish and omega-3[10]; however, we don’t know if even these guidelines are optimal for mental health.” Says Holford. “The more people who are willing to take this inexpensive test and complete a short questionnaire about their dietary habits, plus take a 10-minute online cognitive function test, the more effectively we can discover what an optimal intake of omega-3 for brain health and the prevention of dementia later in life is. We call for public members to become citizen scientists in this way.” The test, which costs £49.95, helps to support this research.

To check your omega-3 status, go to www.foodforthebrain.org/tests

I hope you enjoyed that

Talk soon

ABOUT THE FOOD FOR THE BRAIN FOUNDATION

The Food for the Brain Foundation (foodforthebrain.org) is an educational and research charity on dementia prevention. The Dementia Risk Index questionnaire, which assesses eight drivers of dementia, including “brain fats” and “low carbs and GL,” is available for free online. It helps identify people who eat too many carbs and not enough brain fat and advises them on what to do. www.foodforthebrain.org/tests