One of the main problems the western diet has is the broken balance between the omega 3 fatty acids and the omega 6 fats it brings through food. While the recommended dosage is one part omega 3 fats to one or two parts omega 6 fatty acids, the usual intake of omega 6 fats is up to 40 or 50 times higher than the omega 3 acids. This leads to a series of medical conditions, especially related to the heart and the brain (rich intakes of omega 6 is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease).

Scientists tried to find out exactly how the different levels of fatty acids contribute to the rising or decreasing the risk for mental conditions. In such a study, almost 9,000 elderly persons (all over 65 years old) were examined. All of them were selected so they did not suffer from any sort of dementia at the beginning of the study. The research was carried for 4 years and at the end of it, almost 190 developed Alzheimer's and 100 developed a different type of dementia.

All the persons observed had been having different diets, each having a higher or a lower intake of omega 3 fatty acids. When the study came to an end, scientists concluded that people who regularly consumed omega-3 rich oils, such as canola oil, flaxseed oil and walnut oil, reduced their risk of dementia by 60 percent compared to people who did not regularly consume such oils. People who ate fruits and vegetables daily also reduced their risk of dementia by 30 percent, compared to those who didn't regularly eat fruits and vegetables.

Also, the person's diet was monitored and the results showed that those people who ate fish at least once a week had a 35-percent lower risk of Alzheimer's disease and 40-percent lower risk of dementia (only if they did not have a genetic predisposition to any of the diseases).

Those who consumed an unbalanced diet characterized by a frequent use of omega-6 rich oils, but not omega-3 rich oils or fish were twice as likely to develop dementia compared to those who didn't eat omega-6 rich oils.

The essential fats in omega 3 and especially DHA have a vital role in protecting the brain and the nervous system as a whole against a series of medical risks and scientists found a connection between a person's dietary patterns and the risk for developing mental conditions.

Micheal Thomas is an editor for a series of health related websites. Learn about the best fish oil capsules that we ourselves use daily after extensive product comparisons and research over at http://www.omega-3-fish-benefits.com

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