Low intake of omega-3s (seafood) is one of the 6 leading causes of preventable death, comparable to trans fats, and a high omega-3 index at midlife protects the brain against atrophy and preserves cognitive function.

noli's read

The claim regarding mortality stems from nutritional risk analyses, notably a study published in 'PLOS Medicine' (2015), which indeed ranks omega-3 deficiencies among dietary factors with a high impact on mortality, similar to excess trans fats. Regarding the brain, an observational study published in 'Neurology' (2022) confirms a correlation between a higher omega-3 index and greater brain volume, as well as better cognition in middle-aged adults. This evidence is robust in terms of association, although it is important to note that these are observational studies; they show a correlation but do not yet formally prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship through supplementation alone. The link between omega-3s, cardiovascular health, and neuroprotection is one of the most documented areas in nutrition. The advice is therefore well-grounded in current research, while remaining a population-level observation rather than an absolute clinical certainty.

the sources

1. 1NIH Office of Dietary Supplements 2026
2. 2Manson JE et al. 2019
3. 3Bhatt DL et al. 2019