Fatty foods help boost memory

While countless individuals in the world suffer from dementia, a new study finds eating fat-rich foods can help overcome the condition. High levels of oleoylethanolamide (OEA) found in dietary fats can effectively control the appetite and lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, raising hopes that these agents could be used in treating obesity and other eating disorders. The study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has reported memory-boosting properties for these compounds. According to the study, taking OEA compounds improved memory in the studied mice, helping them run in a maze and avoid unpleasant experiences. Blocking OEA, on the other hand, was associated with a poor performance in these tasks. "By helping mammals remember where and when they have eaten a fatty meal, OEA's memory-enhancing activity seems to have been an important evolutionary tool for early humans and other animals," said Daniele Piomelli the leader of the research team. OEA activates certain signals in the amygdala - the part of the brain involved with memories of emotional events. These hunger-curbing messages increase the feelings of satiation while triggering the release of a hormone which leads to long-term memory formation. Scientists concluded that fatty foods can help in the formation of long-term memories; they however warned that adopting a healthy balanced diet is still the best way to reduce the risk of dementia.