(NaturalHealth365)  Air pollution – especially the kind found indoors – has become a growing health concern for millions of people.  But, most of the public remains uninformed about the dangers, especially as it relates to brain health.

Fortunately, there are many things we can do to reduce our risk.  Today, we’ll focus our attention on one common supplement.  But, other tips will be provided at the end of this article.

Over the past decade studies have continually proven the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, combatting the negative effects of multiple sclerosis, many types of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Due to the action of omega-3s as an anti-inflammatory within the body to suppress harmful inflammatory reactions, we continue to learn more about the health benefits of these fatty acids.

For example, evidence suggests that omega-3s – combined with B vitamins – can lower the risk of brain damage and actually improve overall brain function.  In fact, new research published in Neurology shows that omega-3 fatty acids may even protect the brain from air pollution and prevent brain shrinkage caused by high levels of air pollution in aging adults.

Find out how exposure to excess air pollution threatens brain health

Ambient fine particles from air pollution have been tied to brain aging, and now researchers believe that omega-3s could help.  In a study that looked at a group of older women who’d been exposed to air pollution at high levels, scientists found a link between low levels of these fatty acids and smaller brain volumes, while women with the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids had larger brain volumes.

Fine particles associated with air pollution are so tiny they’re able to enter through your respiratory tract and go right into the bloodstream.  As the blood flows through your body, those particles have the potential to damage your brain and other body systems.

And, while fish oil – which contains omega-3s – has been shown to help reduce brain damage that’s caused by environmental neurotoxins, researchers wanted to find out if they’d work against fine particle (PM2.5) exposure as well.

Along with measuring the omega-3 fatty acids in study participants, researchers assessed participant intake of fish and omega-3s, as well. Final results showed that women with the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids had significant larger hippocampus and white matter volumes.

The results were consistent for dietary intakes of non-fried fish and omega-3 supplementation.

Tackle the negative effects of poor air quality and cognitive decline with good nutrition

While the study had some limitations, researchers believe that the study provides an excellent insight into the way that healthy lifestyles, such as eating a healthy diet, can help reduce the negative effects of pollution on the brain. Although we don’t yet fully understand how omega-3s are alleviating this brain damage, the results show they offer significant protection for the brain – which means it’s worth adding more omega-3s to your diet.

Omega-3 fatty acids offer additional benefits and have been linked to improved emotional wellbeing, anti-aging, better heart health, and reduced inflammation. You can get more omega-3s in your diet by eating fatty fish a couple times a week or by taking a high quality (clean sourced) omega-3 supplement.

As a final note: To reduce your exposure to air pollution … use a high quality air purifier, keep plants indoors, open the windows in your home (on a regular basis) and avoid purchasing toxic home and personal care products.

Sources for this article include:

Neurology.org
MedpageToday.com
NaturalHealth365.com
NaturalHealth365.com