Fish oil supplements may benefit older people with a genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The corresponding study was published in JAMA Network Open.
For the study, researchers enrolled 102 participants aged 75 years or older with relatively low blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil. While participants were considered healthy and did not have dementia, they had relatively high levels of white matter lesions. White matter lesions may inhibit the delivery of nutrients through blood vessels to the brain, which increases dementia risk.
The participants were split into two groups: one taking omega 3-enriched fish oil supplements every day, and the other: a soybean-based placebo. They underwent MRI’s at the beginning and end of the three-year study.
Ultimately, the researchers found that those taking fish oil supplements experienced a slight but insignificant reduction in the progression of their lesions compared to those taking the placebo.
"Our findings showed that over three years, there was not a statistically significant difference between placebo and the group that took fish oil. I don't think it would be harmful, but I wouldn't say you need to take fish oil to prevent dementia." said study author Lynne Shinto, N.D., M.P.H., professor of neurology Oregon Health & Science University, in a press release.
The researchers noted, however, that participants with APOE4- a major genetic risk factor for AD- experienced a significant reduction in the breakdown of nerve cells in the brain.
"The fact that neuronal integrity breakdown was slowed in people randomized to omega-3 treatment who are also at high risk for Alzheimer's disease is remarkable, and warrants a larger clinical trial in more diverse populations in the future,” said study author Gene Bowman, N.D., M.P.H., director of clinical trials and instructor of neurology at the McCance Center for Brain Health, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, in a press release.
Sources: Science Daily, JAMA Network Open
