Fish oil 'can restore the brain after junk food': Diets rich in omega-3s play key role

in reversing damage caused by high fats

Researchers at Liverpool University say fish oil prevents negative effects Team originally set out to look at omega-3's role in aiding weight loss
PUBLISHED: 00:58 GMT, 16 May 2013 | UPDATED: 01:03 GMT, 16 May 2013

Fish oil can counter the negative effect junk food has on the brain, say scientists. More than a decade of research has shown that high-fat diets can impact the brain by disrupting 'neurogenesis', a process that generates new nerve cells. Now University of Liverpool researchers have discovered that diets rich in omega-3s, such as fish oil, can prevent these negative effects by stimulating the area of the brain that controls feeding, learning and memory.

Research: Scientists say fish oil can counter the negative effect junk food has on the brain

The team from the University's Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease originally set out to look at research from across to world to see whether the data suggested that omega-3s had a role to play in aiding weight loss. However, although data from the 185 research papers indicated fish oils do not have a direct impact on this

process, it found that they play a significant role in reversing the damage high fats can cause the brain. Researcher Dr Lucy Pickavance explained: 'Body weight is influenced by many factors, and some of the most important of these are the nutrients we consume. 'Excessive intake of certain macronutrients, the refined sugars and saturated fats found in junk food, can lead to weight gain, disrupt metabolism and even affect mental processing.

Study: Diets rich in omega-3s prevent the negative effects by stimulating the area of the brain that controls feeding, learning and memory

'These changes can be seen in the brain's structure, including its ability to generate new nerve cells, potentially linking obesity to neurodegenerative diseases. 'Research, however, has suggested that omega-3 fish oils can reverse or even prevent these effects. We wanted to investigate the literature on this topic to determine whether there is evidence to suggest that omega-3s might aid weight loss by stimulating particular brain processes.' The research papers showed that on high-fat diets hormones that are usually secreted from body tissues into the circulation after eating - which protect neurons and stimulate their growth - are prevented from passing into the brain by increased circulation of inflammatory molecules and a type of fat called triglycerides. Molecules that stimulate nerve growth are also reduced. But it appears - in studies with animal models - that omega-3s restore normal function by interfering with the production of these inflammatory molecules, suppressing triglycerides, and returning these nerve growth factors to normal. Dr Pickavance added: 'Fish oils don't appear to have a direct impact on weight loss, but they may take the brakes off the detrimental effects of some of the processes triggered in the brain by high-fat diets. 'They seem to mimic the effects of calorie restrictive diets and including more oily fish or fish oil supplements in our diets could certainly be a positive step forward for those wanting to improve their general health.'

MOST READ NEWS

Previous 1 2 3 Next

Still the BBC's black hole of Salford swallows your cash:...

'Flying doesn't scare me:' Sole survivor, then aged 4, of...

Firefighters take SEVEN HOURS to rescue hoarder from flat so...

Will no one take the blame? As gang took girl of 12 as a sex...

Playground gun law: In a grim portrait of modern Britain,...

Oh dear, Deirdre: Street star adopts a poorly cat, under...

'Anyone who has more than two children is irresponsible':...

Gallows used to hang bootlegger who SMILED as he faced death...

Motorist who pulled into bus lane to let fire engines on...

Mother who won 700,000 payout when NHS failed to detect...

A real high-flyer! Teenager set to become one of youngest...

Advertising man, 24, dies of heart attack brought on by...

Comments (26)
Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all Rather use hemp oil...it contains Omega 3,6 and 9 and gives the fish population a break from overfishing... - James Esq. , Bonobo City, 16/5/2013 14:23 You marijuana nuts never give up, It's will always be illegal and it doesn't matter how much omega 3 it has if its going to give you schizophrenia. - thebull_politics 2 , London, United Kingdom, 16/5/2013 15:52

Click to rate Report abuse

Rating (0)

Fish oil and omega 3, are extremely dangerous to the brain! They can cause regularly nose bleeds and make the brain hyper active even while you're sleeping, causing electrons in the brain to end up burning cells. Ginkgo Biloba is a bit safer though.... the best and safest medicine for the brain are proteins, water and philosophical thinking. - KeepingThabs , Birmingham, United Kingdom, 16/5/2013 15:06 Click to rate Report abuse Fish oil 'can restore the brain after junk food': ----- It plays havoc with the fishes metabolism though, the two mackerel above look really depressed. - LeeW , Fylde Coast, United Kingdom, 16/5/2013 14:31 Click to rate Report abuse If you're allergic to fish, Hemp or Flax contains Omege 3, 6 AND 9 all in one. No mercury either. - Elly , Somerset, United Kingdom, 16/5/2013 14:28 Click to rate Report abuse Rather use hemp oil...it contains Omega 3,6 and 9 and gives the fish population a break from overfishing... - James Esq. , Bonobo City, 16/5/2013 14:23 Click to rate Report abuse Thank God, a research that is not tainted and funded by the death industry! It is very good for so many things. And yes, I have noticed here in Boston too, there is a lack of sardines too. Maybe they figured that people were buying that instead of the super expensive fake meat and mercury filled fish. By the way, there are safe and very clean brands of Omega 3. Find it NOT in pharmacies. - buttercookies , Boston, 16/5/2013 14:18 Click to rate Report abuse Agree with Mr Haymar. I get sick of all the nonsense about a 'low fat diet' being necessarily a healthy diet and about demon foods and magic foods too come to that. - comperedna , Witney, United Kingdom, 16/5/2013 14:11 Click to rate Report abuse My question is simply this:- "Why has LIDL stopped selling sardines ? " - BROADSWORD , Ryeford, United Kingdom------------------------------------I have found at Lidl and Aldi this sometimes happens as there is a problem with supply. Currently I cannot get the usual crisp bread from Lidl they also stopped the excellent stonebaked french stick and a good german pint grigio. Aldi did an excellent 75% fruit jam thats no longer available. Rating (0) Rating 2 Rating 3 Rating (0) Rating 3 Rating (0)

- redone , sunderland, 16/5/2013 14:02 Click to rate Report abuse bad news if you are a fish - taras shevchenko , woodstock, Canada, 16/5/2013 12:23 Click to rate Report abuse There is also another vitamin that can seriously help memory loss and that's B12. Two of the types of medication I take have side effects that affect short term memory, and it was getting so bad I felt like I couldn't remember something I did in the morning if I tried to remember late in the evening. Then I had to have my regular blood mot and it was discovered I was lacking in B12 so over a 2 week period I had 6 injections, and oh lordy do they hurt but the difference in my memory has been absolutely amazing. I still have problems, some things I still struggle with but compared to what I was like, it's like someone switched my brain back on. Worth every bit of pain. - grumpy old woman , Planet Zorg, 16/5/2013 12:10 Click to rate Report abuse The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Today's headlines Most Read 29st woman told she was too fat to have children loses 12st after gastric band surgery - and gives birth to TRIPLETS The baby who cheated death by 30 minutes: Doctors spot umbilical cord strangling foetus during routine scan and carry out emergency caesarian at 32 weeks Can simply clenching a fist boost memory? Balling up your right hand tightly 'makes it easier to memorise lists' Binge drinking in your 20s can trigger heart disease, as being young has no protective effect against alcohol Agony of schoolgirl's 'growing pains' turns out to be rare form of arthritis Want a good night's sleep? Find out which colours you should use in the bedroom (and avoid) for a decent kip Men who are physically strong are more likely to have right wing political views Dogged by my hideous tattoo! Man who regretted having bulldog inked on his chest is left with terrible scars after trying to have it removed Take a sad song and make it better: Listening to downbeat music helps people get over a break-up Our Health Heroes: Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Trisha Goddard and Corrie's Liz Dawn share their stories of the doctors who saved their lives Fish oil 'can restore the brain after junk food': Diets rich in omega-3s play key role in reversing damage caused by high fats Drinking just one can of fizzy drink a day increases the risk of painful kidney stones by a QUARTER MORE HEADLINES Dieter's dream... the pizza that's 'healthier than a salad' and contains all 47 of the nutrients we need 29st woman told she was too fat to have children loses 12st after gastric band surgery - and gives birth to TRIPLETS Angelina Jolie's surgeon reveals each step of her treatment, from the reconstruction she had to the pills that helped her recover You wait nine years for a baby then FOUR come along at once... and they're all girls Men who are physically strong are more likely to have right wing political views Scientists discover a link between epilepsy and autism for the first time Teenager who had 100 degree curve in her spine that crushed her vital organs can 'exercise, rock climb and bungee jump' again thanks to surgery Drinking just one can of fizzy drink a day increases the risk of painful kidney stones by a QUARTER Fish oil 'can restore the brain after junk food': Diets rich in omega-3s play key role in reversing damage caused by high fats Eating your whites is as important as eating your greens: Potato and cauliflower are a 'forgotten source of nutrients' Parents strip three-year-old son's room of bright coloured toys in an effort to help him sleep Agony of schoolgirl's 'growing pains' turns out to be rare form of arthritis MOST READ IN DETAIL Rating 12 Rating 10 Rating 4

Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group Associated Newspapers Ltd