Eating certain foods may help protect your brain as you age and keep you mentally sharp.

A new study conducted by researchers in Oregon found that a diet rich in vitamins and Omega-3 fatty acids prevent brain shrinkage later in life.

Experts say a combination of the vitamins B, C, D and E may have the greatest impact on brain health.

However, diets that are high in trans fats do just the opposite.

Researchers say they hope the new findings will encourage people to eat more fruits and vegetables.

"The results show how physicians may be able to help individual patients reach personal dietary goals to help their brain health in their later years," study author Gene Bowman, an assistant professor of neurology at Oregon Health and Science University, told MyHealthNews Daily.

Researchers also suggest that brain aging could affect an individual's diet. As the person ages, a balanced diet becomes even more important to brain health.

"The take-home message from this study is the concept of a balanced diet, rather than a single source of nutrients," said Rhoda Au, a dementia and aging researcher at Boston University.

The study was published Thursday online in the journal Neurology.

--Published Dec. 29, 2011.