Introduction
Supplements containing fish oil have been taken by many people who seek to boost their memory and protect their brain from age-related cognitive decline. Nevertheless, recent studies are questioning the usefulness of such supplements, as they do not necessarily provide the brain-protecting effects that one would expect.
In a two-year study conducted by scientists at the Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California, a large dose of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid that is normally found in fish oil, showed no positive effect on memory and cognitive abilities of elderly people who were at higher risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, the researchers did not find any protective effect of the supplement on shrinking of the brain area responsible for memory.
These results were reported in the journal eBioMedicine.
What Did the Two-Year Study Discover?
The study involved 365 people between 55 and 80 years old who did not consume much fish and whose health condition put them at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. In the course of the study, patients received either the DHA supplement or the placebo.
Participants took 2,000 mg of DHA each day. DHA is one of the omega-3 acids which help preserve the integrity of brain cells and ensure neurological health.
Participants were followed for two years, during which their cognitive abilities, memory functions and brain structure were assessed. Levels of DHA in cerebrospinal fluid which nourishes the brain and spine were estimated as well.
Within six months of the study, the concentration of DHA in cerebrospinal fluid rose by approximately 17% in participants taking the supplement. It suggests that the supplement successfully passed the blood-brain barrier and reached the central nervous system.
However, despite the growth of DHA levels, researchers failed to find any positive effect on memory in terms of better cognitive results on tests or any protection against hippocampus shrinkage.
Does Fish Oil Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease?
Fish oil is often marketed for its potential benefits for cardiovascular health, inflammation, and brain function. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients, and DHA plays an important role in maintaining healthy brain cells.
However, the latest findings do not support relying on high-dose fish oil supplements alone to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
The study specifically examined older adults at increased risk of cognitive decline. It did not establish whether fish oil supplements have the same effects in younger adults, people with different nutritional needs, or individuals taking supplements for other health reasons.
It is also important to understand that the study did not show that fish oil causes Alzheimer’s disease or that omega-3 fatty acids are harmful. Instead, it found no significant cognitive or brain-structure benefit from the tested supplement regimen over the two-year period.
More research is needed to determine whether particular groups of people might benefit from omega-3 supplementation and how individual health, diet, and nutrient metabolism influence the results.
Why Might Omega-3s From Food Be Different?
This leads to one of the questions that arise from the results of the study – how can it be that DHA got to the brain but failed to produce cognitive benefits?
Scientists explore whether the body’s capacity to utilize omega-3 acids is determined by the person’s age, genetic predisposition, overall state of health and even dietary habits.
One interesting point is the Mediterranean diet with a balance of nutrients from different food sources, including fish, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, and olive oil.
But this kind of diet is an example of a combination of different nutrients instead of using only one supplement. Yet the clinical trial did not make a comparison between the consumption of fish oil supplements and Mediterranean diets, and therefore cannot confirm that dietary omega-3 acids are better at preventing Alzheimer’s disease.
How Can People Support Brain Health as They Age?
Though there is no habit that will ensure safety from the Alzheimer’s disease, there are some lifestyles that are beneficial to overall health and also reduce certain risk factors of the disease.
- Eat a balanced diet: This involves consuming vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, beans and legumes, and also suitable sources of protein. Fishes will supply omega-3 fatty acids.
- Remain physically active: Exercise helps in promoting good heart health and circulation.
- Sleep well: Proper sleep is important as it helps in memory formation and brain activity.
- Pay attention to your blood pressure: It is one way of reducing risk factors of cardiovascular disease.
- Consult your doctor about any supplement: Fish oil can be used by those who require the supplement due to health issues; however, one must not think that it will protect them from dementia. People taking prescribed supplements and medication must consult their doctors first.
It is important to understand that these habits cannot guarantee safety from the disease.
Conclusion
Two years of supplementation trials bring up one very clear point, which is the fact that many supplements do not provide all the benefits promised to consumers by the manufacturers. While supplementation with a large dose of DHA led to an increase in omega-3 content within the central nervous system, no positive changes were found in terms of improvements in memory, cognitive skills or the reduction of hippocampus shrinking.
However, this does not mean that omega-3 fatty acids are unnecessary or that fish oil will have no health benefits for every possible health problem. This means only that further studies on the impact of nutrition on the aging brain are necessary.
In the meantime, those who want to prevent their memory impairment or any symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease should use evidence-based health practices instead of turning to supplements.
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Editorial note: this article represents results of clinical trial.
