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Senior Years

If health in infancy is about proper development, health in childhood is about normal growth, and health in adulthood is about systems maintenance, then health in the senior years is about slowing degeneration. With plenty of exercise and proper nutrition, including a diet that contains ample amounts of the Omega-3 EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), it’s possible for seniors of all ages to preserve the functioning of their vital organs and live healthy, active lives. Research indicates that Omega-3 EPA and DHA may help prevent:

Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and other conditions of mental deterioration
Stroke (or “brain attack”)
Age-related macular degeneration (which causes deterioration of eyesight)

In addition, studies show these essential nutrients may improve:

Memory
Reaction time
Speech
Cognition

Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia & Other Conditions of Mental Deterioration

Your brain is one of the vital organs that require Omega-3 EPA/DHA to perform optimally. In fact, 60% of your brain is made up of structural fat (a large part of which is DHA) and it requires a regular intake of Omega-3 EPA and DHA, to function properly.

Several studies have found a link between Omega-3 EPA/DHA intake from fish and cognitive ability. The landmark Zutphen Elderly Study, which tracked over 200 elderly men for five years, demonstrated that those who regularly ate fish (providing 200 mg of EPA/DHA daily) had a slower decline in cognitive ability than those who did not. Additionally, the study indicated that Omega-3 EPA/DHA may slow the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Stroke

A stroke, or “brain attack,” happens when the brain’s supply of blood is cut off, killing brain cells and causing brain damage. There are two kinds of stroke: thrombotic (caused by a blood clot) and hemorrhagic (caused by a blood vessel bursting inside the brain). Eighty five percent of strokes are thrombotic. Therefore, anything you can do to help prevent blood clots from forming in your blood vessels will help protect you from stroke.

Research suggests that Omega-3 EPA and DHA may help deter plaque and blood clots from developing or rupturing in the arteries. Omega-3 EPA may be of particular importance in preventing strokes, because it has anti-inflammatory effects that counterbalance the inflammatory effects of the Omega-6 fatty acid ARA (Arachidonic Acid). Results from the landmark Japan EPA Lipid Intervention Study indicate that a more balanced ratio of ARA to EPA corresponds with a reduced risk for stroke.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (Deterioration of Eyesight)

Like your brain, your eyes also use DHA as the building block for their cells, particularly cells in the retina — the part of your eye that helps you focus. Studies have shown that people eating well-balanced diets containing foods rich in Omega-3 EPA and DHA may reduce their risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease that causes deterioration of central vision. AMD is the leading cause of blindness among adults over 55 in the United States and other developed countries.

Improved Cognition & Speech

Consuming foods rich in Omega-3 EPA and DHA may have beneficial effects on cognition and speech as you age. Studies among seniors have shown that higher intake of Omega-3 EPA/DHA may help you:

Preserve your ability to recall words
Maintain your psychomotor speed (or reaction time)
Retain your verbal fluency
Keep, or even improve, your cognitive abilities

MEG-3® as Your Source of Omega-3 EPA and DHA

The key to preventing age-related deterioration of vital organs down the road is to make sure you’re getting a healthy diet that includes adequate supplies of Omega-3 DPA/DHA. MEG-3® can supply you with the Omega-3 EPA and DHA your body needs in a convenient and worry-free way. Available as a dietary supplement, and as a healthy food ingredient, MEG-3® provides you with Omega-3 EPA/DHA that conform to worldwide quality and purity standards. Along with a well-balanced diet, supplements or foods that contain MEG-3® ensure that you and your family are getting adequate amounts of these two essential nutrients.

Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia & Other Conditions of Mental Deterioration

Morris M, Evans D, Tangney C, Bienias J, Wilson R. “Fish consumption and cognitive decline with age in a large community study.” Archives of Neurology 62, no., 12 (December 2005): 1849-53.
Gelder, et al. Fish consumption, n-3 fatty acids, and subsequent 5-y cognitive decline in elderly men: the Zutphen Elderly Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007; 85:1142-7.

Stroke

Yokoyama, et al. Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on major coronary events in hypercholesterolaemic patients (JELIS): a randomised open-label, blinded endpoint analysis. The Lancet. 2007; 369:1090-98.
Matsuzaki, et al. Effectiveness of Eicosapentanoic Acid for Preventing Coronary Artery Disease: Secondary Prevention Strata. Circulation. 2006; 114:II_65.0

Age-related Macular Degeneration (Deterioration of Eyesight)

Pons, Mauricio E, Garcia-Valenzuela, Enrique. “Macular degeneration.” eMedicine Health. Last editorial review April 20, 2007.

Improved Cognition & Speech

Katmijin S, van Boxtel MP, Ocke M, Verschuren W, Kromhout D, Launer LJ. “Dietary intake of fatty acids and fish in relation to cognitive performance at middle age.” Neurology 62, no., 2 (January 2004): 275-80.
Dullemeijer, et al. n–3 Fatty acid proportions in plasma and cognitive performance in older adult. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007; 86(5)1479-1485.
Beydoun, et al. Plasma n-3 fatty acids and the risk of cognitive decline in older adults: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007;85(4):1103-1.
Nurk, et al. Cognitive performance among the elderly and dietary fish intake: the Hordaland Health Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007; 86(5) 1470-1478.