Can Fish oil Boost your Mental Abilities?

Fish oil is a supplement that is already known to provide a lot of health benefits. Researchers have found that a certain type of Fish oil containing Omega-3 fatty acids, increases the blood flow in our brains which improves functioning in certain parts of our brain.

It is popular belief that fish oil has a lot of benefits to the brain and that it might increase our mental abilities like our memory. Researchers at the Northumbria Univesity found that taking fish oil for a prolonged period of time indeed increases blood flow to the brain but it did not increased mental performance. In 2 studies they researched the effect of taking fish oil on mental ability tests. Although they groups did not perform better on ability tests, they had less mental fatigue and better reaction times. It has to taken in to account that the study groups consisted of young people (18-35) who are already on their mental peak.

What does this mean?

In normal English it means that it did not increase their mental abilities. They did not become smarter after taking the fish oil supplements and it did not increase their I.Q. However, after taking the tests they complained less about mental fatigue, their brains were fitter and they were able to stay concentrated for a longer period of time. The researchers claim that taking fish oil regularly might decrease the chance on Dementia and cognitive decline later in live because your brains will stay in a better health.

So Should I take Fish oil?

Eating fish is considered healthy for numerous reasons. It decreases the chance on inflammation and heart diseases and apparently keeps your brains also in a healthy condition. This does not mean that you should eat fish every day, but eating fish which contains fatty acids (omega-3) once a week might not be a bad idea.

What does it not mean?

This research does not mean that taking fish oil will prevent Dementia or cognitive decline; they claim that it “might” decreases the chance. It also does not mean that when you already have Dementia that it will cure it.

Northumbria University wants to do more research about their subject and they are looking for more people who want to anticipate in their research