New study reveals insight into how omega-3 enhances memory

A study carried out in Canada has offered an explanation as to why consumption of omega-3 fatty acids can help improve the memory.

University of Alberta researchers have found that diets rich in DHA, a form of omega-3 found in fish, lead to higher levels of the fatty acid in the hippocampus, the region of the brain that regulates memory.

This insight was revealed via a test involving animals fed with high-DHA diets, compared to those consuming regular, healthy food.

Principal investigator Yves Sauve, a researcher at the university's faculty of medicine and dentistry, said: "What we discovered is that memory cells in the hippocampus could communicate better with each other and better relay messages when DHA levels in that region of the brain were higher."

According to the researcher, this could mean that dietary supplements containing the substance could be used to combat declining DHA levels in the brain as people grow older.

This comes after a recent study by the University of California – Los Angeles showed that omega-3 can also help people with spinal conditions or injuries to retain their mobility more effectively.