Fish Oil Reverses Effects of Junk Food

Fish oil can counter the negative effect of junk food on the brain, say scientists.

More than a decade of research has shown that high fat diets can disrupt the body's process of generating new nerve cells. Now researches have discovered that foods rich in omega-3, such as fish oil can stop this damage to the brain by stimulating the area the area that controls eating, learning and memory. A team from the university of Liverpool's Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, are trying to find out whether omega-3 could aid weight loss.

Fish Oil and Weight Loss

Although data from 185 research papers showed fish oils do NOT directly affect weight, it found that they play a significant role in reversing the impact that fats have on the brain. Researcher Dr Lucy Pickavance said "Excessive intake of certain macronutrients - the refined sugars and saturated fats found in junk food - can lead to weight gain, disrupt the metabolism and even affect mental processing. 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 has suggested that omega-3 fish oils can reverse or even prevent these effects. Hormones that protect neurons and stimulate their growth are usually secreted from the body tissues after eating, and research showed that in high fat diets, these hormones are prevented from passing into the brain, and molecules that stimulate nerve growth are also reduced. Studies show that omega-3 returns these nerve growth factors back to normal Dr Pickavance, whose research was published in the British Journal of Nutrition, said fish oils not appear to have to have a direct impact on weight loss, but they do, "mimic the effects of calorie restrictive diets". She also added that eating oily fish or fish oil supplements could be a "positive step forward" for improving general health. Article appeared in the Daily Mail on May 16. 2013