Martek Biosciences, a leader in brain health, and Dr. Michael Roizen, a leading medical expert, best-selling author and cofounder and chair of the RealAge Inc. Scientific Advisory Board, developed the first ever comprehensive assessment of the nation’s brain health called the life’sDHA Index of Brain HealthSM. The Index provides an informative, eye-opening look at the nation’s brain health status on a state-by-state basis.
The 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia were each evaluated on 21 brain health indicators in the areas of diet, physical health, mental health and social well-being. For each indicator, data for all 51 geographies was compared to the national average which was set at 100. Data points which were better than the national average indexed higher than 100, and data points which were poorer than the national average indexed lower than 100. After weighting the relative importance of each indicator to brain health, an overall index score was calculated for each geography. Geographies were then ranked from first to 51st.
Purpose
The goal of the life’sDHA Index of Brain HealthSM is to increase awareness among Americans about the state of the nation’s brain health, provide insight on the brain health strengths and challenges facing each state and encourage citizens to take action toward achieving better brain health.
States, relevant health organizations and advocacy groups can be proactive in promoting the key areas for better brain health – nutrition (starting at infancy with breastfeeding), overall physical health, brain stimulation (e.g., playing games) and social interaction. One of the most significant contributors to brain health is DHA omega-3 – an important brain nutrient that accounts for up to 97 percent of all omega-3 fats in the brain. From infancy through adulthood, DHA supports optimal brain function. A recent study showed that increasing blood DHA levels through supplementation of preschool children may significantly improve listening comprehension and vocabulary.* Other studies have shown that low levels of DHA were associated with increased risk of neurological disorders in adults.
Despite its importance, Americans have among the lowest dietary intakes of DHA in the world. A workshop sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the International Society of the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids recommends an intake of 220 milligrams of DHA per day for healthy adults, but research shows that the average American consumes less than 100 milligrams of DHA per day. Consumption of DHA-fortified foods and beverages, DHA supplements and fatty fish rich in DHA is a great way to boost your DHA intake.
Other ways in which people can improve their brain health include being socially connected (volunteering, voting, socializing, being religious/spiritual), engaging in mentally stimulating activities (taking a class, playing games, reading) and leading a heart-healthy lifestyle (not smoking, being physically active, eating a heart-healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight). With the help of the life’sDHA Index of Brain Health, Americans can be informed about what they’re doing right and what they can improve upon to achieve optimal brain health.
* Ryan AS, Nelson EB. Assessing the effect of docosahexaenoic acid on cognitive functions in healthy, preschool children: a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study. Clinical Pediatric, May 2008.