Now, it may be true that when the “pro” study came out (i.e., people who eat more fish have better mental function and are less likely to develop dementia), a lot of people started taking fish oil supplements with that sole hope in mind. But, whether or not fish oil (or rather the omega-3 fatty acids contained therein), in and of itself, guards against developing dementia, there are still lots of “potential” good reasons, very healthy reasons, for us to take it (or eat more fish that doesn’t contain too much mercury). So, whether or not avoiding Alzheimer’s turns out to be one of the benefits, fish oils may still help in the treatment of heart disease, high cholesterol, depression, anxiety, AHDH, low immunity, cancer, diabetes, inflammation, arthritis, IBD, AIDS, eye disorders, macular degeneration and ulcers. It “may” help in weight loss, pregnancy, fertility and skin care (particular for disorders such as psoriasis, acne).

If fish oil is suddenly sounding like a “miracle” supplement all over again, it’s not. However, as far as your overall wellness is concerned, it is still an excellent addition to a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet, plenty of water, and regular exercise. And, just for good measure, I will add that because chiropractic adjustments positively affect the entire nervous system, including brain function, regular chiropractic care may go a long way in decreasing the likelihood that a “well-adjusted” will develop dementia.

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However, before you opt to add an extra cup of coffee to your morning ritual, I’d also add that under “Related Stories” on the website were a couple of articles regarding studies that demonstrated the non-beneficial effects of caffeine, “Morning Jolt of Caffeine May Mask Serious Sleep Problems,” and “Coffee Consumption Linked To Increased Risk Of Heart Attack For Persons With Certain Gene Variation.”

Almost any angle of thought, it seems to me, especially when it comes to health and longevity, can be affirmed, or at least supported, by a number of specific studies. The “good/bad” studies related to caffeine certainly aren’t, of course, the only ones. Nonetheless, it did get me to thinking about the probability that there will never be just “one thing” that will irrefutably help we, humans, to live longer, healthier lives. We are dynamic, biological beings. We aren’t raised in unnatural confinement We are actively engaged in life. And, let’s face it, though Alzheimer’s disease may be on the rise, obviously no one has been “artificially induced to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease,” therefore caffeine isn’t entirely the “one thing” that is going to prevent or reverse it.

Our body is a splendid, complex system that is based on homeostasis or balance. It is likely, then, that good health is cultivated by a healthy, balanced way of living, instead of our being blindly convinced by the latest health study and “doing” or “overdoing” one specific thing in the hope that it will reverse all of the other over-indulgent and harmful things we have done to our bodies.

I believe, as a doctor of chiropractic, that every moment of the day we have an opportunity to make decisions that will help us to live longer, healthier lives, healthy choices for our body and mind. When it comes to what is good for our body, we know what truly “feels” right and what doesn’t. So, I just wanted to pass along some thoughts for you to keep in mind the next time you consider having that extra cup of coffee or second glass of red wine. There is no “one thing” that will do “everything” for your age-related health issues.

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