Recent research revealed that fish intake, especially the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids in fish may improve cognitive performance for elderly people.

A study based on the review of more than 2000 elderly people from Norway reported that those people who ate more than 10 grams per day of fish had better scores at tests than those who ate less than 10 grams of fish per day.

"Most cognitive functions were influenced by fish intake," the authors reported.

Moreover, for having the best scores at the tests, people should eat about 75 grams of fish per day, according to the study.

This is the third study, which ended with the same conclusion. The first one was a Dutch study made on 404 people with ages between 50 and 70. The study revealed that the presence of higher plasma concentrations of omega-3-fatty acid led to a lower decline in several cognition measures over three years.

The second one, a New Zealand study made on more than 2400 people aged 15 and older, revealed that there is a strong connection between circulating concentrations of omega -3 fatty acids and physical health and a weak link between omega-3 fatty acids and mental health.

All the three studies were published in November edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

However, in an accompanying editorial of the published study, Dr. Irwin Rosenberg of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University Boston concluded that there cannot be established a direct link between consumption of fish/omega-3-fatty acids and cognitive function.

"We know that the n�3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid accounts for 40% of the membrane phospholipids fatty acids in the brain; certainly, this fatty acid must have an effect on membrane receptor function and even neurotransmitter generation."

Aside from this new discovery, there is also known that eating fish is recommended for pregnant women. They are persistently advised to eat at least 12 ounces (340 grams) of fish per week to ensure optimal brain development in their babies.

It is already a fact that fish and seafood contain nutrients that promote brain and nervous system development of fetuses, infant and young children.

Moreover, if people do not eat the right quantity of fish per week they are strongly advised to take an omega-3-fatty acid supplement. They will decrease the risk of heart disease, dementia, joint pain and age-related macular degeneration, which leads to blindness in older people.