Researchers in Finland have just published their findings on a study that compared a diet rich in fish to a diet with little, if any, fish and discovered that the fishy diet eaters reduced their risk of stroke, with their rate of risk diminished where fish consumption was highest.  As long as the fish wasn’t fried, anyway.

The University of Kuopio research team, led by Jyrki Virtanen, PhD, RD, scanned the brains of 2,313 study participants, all 65 years old or older, at the outset of the study and again five years later.  The study participants also completed questionnaires that explored their diets, especially their fish consumption.

The study participants who ate tuna and other types of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, also identified as DHA and EPA, three or more times each week were at 26% less risk of having a “silent” stroke than study participants who ate fish only infrequently.  Just one serving of these fish each week resulted in a 13% lowered risk of stroke.

Silent strokes, also called silent brain infarcts, are small lesions on the brain that can lead to diminished ability to think skillfully and can cause stroke and dementia.  This type stroke is called silent because only a brain scan can detect it.  Most people experiencing one have no clear symptoms or awareness of the event.  Brain scans indicate approximately 20% of healthy, elderly people have evidence of silent brain infarction.

Fish high in DHA and EPA include anchovies, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, and tuna.  The study participants who received the most stroke-preventing benefit from the diet rich in fish ate the fish baked or broiled.  The study revealed no protection against the risk of silent stroke when fish was fried.

The August 5 issue of Neurology carries the full study.  Neurology is published by the American Academy of Neurology.  Funding for the study was provided by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research, the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Yrjo Jahnsson Foundation, Helsingin Sanomat Centennial Foundation, and the University of Kuopio.

Source: American Academy of Neurology