Cognitive Decline in Older People - Essay Example

What this study proves:

Regular and frequent fish eating is related to a slower rate of cognitive decline.

This study does not prove:

- Eating fish can stop cognitive decline.

- Omega 3 fatty acids can stop or reduce cognitive decline.

Controversy:

- Morris, who did the study, believes that DHA( a type of Omega 3 fatty acid) is responsible for the slow decline of cognitive function.

- But, the questionnaires on fish intake were not correlated to levels of Omega 3 in the blood.

- Thus, others point out that this particular research only proves the connection between delayed cognitive decline and fish-eating – not delayed cognitive decline and Omega 3 fatty acids or DHA.

This could be because- All types of fish are not rich sources of Omega 3.

Previous studies:

- Previous studies have suggested increased fish intake is associated with reduced rates of cognitive decline or Alzheimer's disease, and have linked this apparent protection to increased omega-3 fatty acid intake.

- However, this study also shows that increased fish intake is associated with cognitive decline- but is not able to link this to the level of Omega 3 in the blood.

So it raises a new question-

- Is it the omega 3 in the blood that reduces the rate of cognitive decline- or is it something else in the fish?

- Right now, many scientists and doctors believe that giving Omega 3 to older patients and people with mild Alzheimer’s will reduce the rate of cognitive decline. But this study shows that we can’t be sure that it is Omega 3 that results in a decrease in cognitive decline.

Conclusion:

Increased fish eating does help to reduce cognitive decline.

More research is needed to find out if it is actually Omega 3 which is related to a reduced rate of cognitive decline.