Topic: Health

A new study found that taking fish oil supplements for two years did not improve memory or brain health in older adults. The researchers confirmed that omega-3s from the supplements reached the brain, but they did not have a positive effect on cognitive function.

Millions of people take omega-3 fish oil supplements every year to support their brain health. These supplements contain essential nutrients called omega-3 fatty acids, which help build and maintain connections between brain cells.

A new study from Keck Medicine of USC found that taking high-dose omega-3 supplements for two years did not improve memory or cognitive function in older adults at risk of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers recruited 365 adults aged 55 to 80 who rarely ate fish, a major source of omega-3s. Nearly half of the participants carried the APOE4 gene, which is the strongest known genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's.

The study was a placebo-controlled trial, meaning that some participants received a daily fish oil supplement containing 2,000 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid. The researchers measured DHA levels in cerebrospinal fluid and found that they increased by an average of 17% after six months. This confirmed that the nutrient had reached its intended destination.

However, despite reaching the brain, the supplements did not improve measures of brain health. Participants who took the supplements performed no better on cognitive tests than those who received a placebo. Brain imaging results also showed that fish oil supplements did not slow shrinkage of the hippocampus, a brain region critical for memory and associated with Alzheimer's risk.

Why It Matters

This study is important because it shows that taking fish oil supplements may not be effective in preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease. While maintaining overall health through a balanced diet and lifestyle remains crucial, this finding highlights the need for further research into the effects of omega-3s on brain health.

Key Facts

• A new study from Keck Medicine of USC found that taking high-dose omega-3 supplements for two years did not improve memory or cognitive function in older adults at risk of Alzheimer's disease.
• The study recruited 365 adults aged 55 to 80 who rarely ate fish, a major source of omega-3s.
• Participants received either a daily fish oil supplement containing 2,000 mg of DHA or a placebo.
• DHA levels increased by an average of 17% after six months, confirming that the nutrient had reached its intended destination.
• Despite reaching the brain, the supplements did not improve measures of brain health.

Key Terms

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

An omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil supplements that plays an important role in brain function.

Implications

This study is important because it shows that taking fish oil supplements may not be effective in preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease. While maintaining overall health through a balanced diet and lifestyle remains crucial, this finding highlights the need for further research into the effects of omega-3s on brain health.