If you’re taking an omega-3 fish oil or algae supplement to stave off Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, take note: A new clinical trial finds these supplements did nothing to improve memory, cognition or brain cell loss, reports BritPanorama.
According to Dr. Hussein Yassine, the lead study author and a professor at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, “Omega-3 supplements as a blunt instrument do not work.” He emphasized that even when high levels of omega-3 were detected in the brains of the treatment group, there was no corresponding improvement in cognition.
The research, published in The Lancet journal ebioMedicine, subjected 365 participants aged 55 to 80 without dementia to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. All participants had low levels of omega-3 and at least one risk factor for dementia, such as obesity or hypertension. They were assigned to either receive high-dose omega-3 algae supplements or a placebo over 24 months.
While levels of omega-3 in red blood cells increased significantly in the supplement group, cognitive assessments indicated no improvements compared to the placebo group. “In fact, there was no real difference between people taking an omega-3 supplement and those taking a placebo,” Yassine stated.
Several experts reflected on the implications of the findings. Dr. Richard Isaacson, director of the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases of Florida, noted that omega-3s are essential for optimal brain health, particularly for those with the APOE4 gene that increases Alzheimer’s risk. However, he stressed that these benefits only manifest in individuals who maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Yassine further elaborated, stating, “In the Mediterranean, high omega-3 levels are very strong predictors of good cognition. But people in the Mediterranean are not popping supplements. They’re eating fatty fish, exercising, meeting with friends, and living slowly with less stress.” In contrast, those on a typical Western diet, filled with fast food and lacking physical activity, may not benefit from omega-3 supplementation.
Though omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for various bodily functions, such as reducing the risk of heart disease and aiding in brain health, the study suggests they cannot compensate for a poor lifestyle. Participants generally reported that the supplementation felt like “a drop in the ocean” for those struggling with chronic health issues.
The research underscores the need for a paradigm shift in how omega-3s are viewed concerning cognition and brain health, calling for a broader understanding of the intricate relationship between diet, lifestyle, and supplementation.
