Britain: In a new UCLA rat study, researchers including an Indian have for the first time shown that a diet steadily high in fructose slows the brain, hampering memory and learning. But the good news is omega-3 fatty acids can counteract the disruption.





"We're not talking about naturally occurring fructose in fruits, which also contain important antioxidants. We're concerned about high-fructose corn syrup that is added to manufactured food products as a sweetener and preservative," explained Gomez-Pinilla, who is also a member of UCLA's Brain Research Institute and Brain Injury Research Center. ""


"DHA is essential for synaptic function - brain cells' ability to transmit signals to one another. This is the mechanism that makes learning and memory possible. Our bodies can't produce enough DHA, so it must be supplemented through our diet," explained Gomez-Pinilla.


Six weeks later, the researchers tested the rats' ability to recall the route and escape the maze. What they saw surprised them. "The second group of rats navigated the maze much faster than the rats that did not receive omega-3 fatty acids. The DHA-deprived animals were slower, and their brains showed a decline in synaptic activity. Their brain cells had trouble signaling each other, disrupting the rats' ability to think clearly and recall the route they'd learned six weeks earlier," Gomez-Pinilla said.




"Insulin is important in the body for controlling blood sugar, but it may play a different role in the brain, where insulin appears to disturb memory and learning. Our study shows that a high-fructose diet harms the brain as well as the body. This is something new," he said.

If you still want to indulge in a hot-fudge sundae, then also eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, walnuts and flaxseeds, or take a daily DHA capsule. Gomez-Pinilla recommends one gram of DHA per day.

"Our findings suggest that consuming DHA regularly protects the brain against fructose's harmful effects. It's like saving money in the bank. You want to build a reserve for your brain to tap when it requires extra fuel to fight off future diseases," said Gomez-Pinilla. The findings have been published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Physiology in its May 15 edition.


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