Zap inflammation and reverse Alzheimer’s?

We’re still discovering everything that brain cells can do … and what happens when they “go rogue.”

One thing that can occur is Alzheimer’s. But if new research is any indication, there’s good news. When you clear away brain inflammation you can restore memory, even in brains that already have Alzheimer’s.

In a healthy brain, cells called microglia are usually the first line of immune defense for the central nervous system. But as beta-amyloid starts to build up in an Alzheimer’s brain, these same cells can turn against the brain and cause inflammation.

It’s a little technical, but at the UCI’s Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, they took mice with beta-amyloid plaque buildup and by flushing away the inflammatory cells, they were able to restore the mice’s memory.

“Our findings demonstrate the critical role that inflammation plays in Alzheimer’s-related memory and cognitive losses,” said Kim Green, an assistant professor of neurobiology & behavior. “”Our work is telling us that these cells may contribute to the disease process.”

Reducing inflammation in the brain seems tricky, because you have to get past the blood brain barrier, an extra layer of protection for the brain. In reality, nature has provided us with the perfect “food” for this very purpose.

It’s a special type of inflammation-reducing fat that by now, almost everyone has heard of. They’re called omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3’s are proven to restore the gray matter of the brain, reduce brain inflammation especially in Alzheimer’s brains, and can restore memory even after a stroke, which is like a heart attack in the brain.

The most potent source of omega-3s that can cross the blood brain barrier is krill oil. Krill has more of the brain-healthy omega-3 called DHA. Also, unlike regular fish oil, krill has astaxanthin which allows its omega-3s to cross the blood brain barrier and reduce inflammation.

You need at least one gram of omega-3s a day, and preferably 3 grams or more to reduce brain inflammation.