Key points from article :
Those with the lowest levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood had more brain shrinkage.
Omega-3 fatty acids, shown to fight inflammation and maintain brain structure in ageing brains.
Also been found to reduce brain damage caused by neurotoxins like lead and mercury.
Diet, physical activity of 1,315 women aged ~70 without dementia, studied.
Average amount of fish each woman consumed each week were calculated.
Home addresses of participants used to assess 3-year average exposure to air pollution.
Brain scans done to measure areas of brain including white matter.
Women with highest levels of omega-3 had greater volumes of white matter.
Omega-3 fatty acids may preserve brain volume as women age.
And possibly protect against the potential toxic effects of air pollution.
Researchers from Columbia University, published in Neurology.
