Omega Fatty Acids May Help Slow Mental Decline
A couple of more studies just released that again suggest omega fatty acids may be helpful in slowing cognitive decline:
Omega-3 fatty acid treatment in 174 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease
This study found that patients with very mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) who supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids (2.3 g/day)experienced significantly slower rates of decline in mental function. However, individuals with mild to moderate AD didn’t improve.
This result reinforces the importance of early intervention and prevention. Once damage to the brain is significant (as seen in moderate cases of AD), a single helpful nutrient like omega-3 fats, although not detrimental, is likely to not necessarily lead to great improvement.
Dietary supplementation of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids improves cognitive dysfunction.
Arachidonic acid is an omega-6 fat, while docosahexaenoic acid (or DHA) is an omega-3 fat. Most people get plenty of omega-6 fats in the diet, as they are found in high quantities in vegetable oils used in processed and restaurant-prepared foods. Arachidonic acid (ARA) is also found in high amounts in red meat and egg yolks. On the other hand, most people are deficient in omega-3 fats, such as DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are found in fish oil.
This second study found that individuals with mild cognitive impairment who supplemented with only 240 mg of ARA and DHA experienced improvements in both immediate memory and attention scores. As in the earlier study, no improvement was seen in individuals who had already developed AD.
For omega-3 fats DHA & EPA, it’s important to make sure that the source (fish or supplements) is low in contaminants, such as heavy metals and PCBs. Tested fish oil supplements are your best bet there.
You can learn more about the important roles of omega-3 fats in disease prevention and treatment here.
And, you can learn more about ways to preserve and improve cognitive function here.
