Fish Oil and Your Brain Health: Scientific Research
Omega-3 from Fish Oil Associated with Reduced Risk of Cognitive Impairment for Middle-Aged
Health Condition: brain, cognitive performance
Summary of benefits:
- This 5-year study examined 1,613 people between the ages of 45 and 79
- They were tested for memory, speed, complicated information processing and overall cognition
- Those with high cholesterol in their diets had the lowest scores
- Those who consumed the most Omega-3 had the highest scores
Number of OmegaVia softgels needed to see study’s benefit: 1 – 2 per day.
Authors & Title: Kalmijn S, van Boxtel MPJ, Ocke M, et al. Dietary intake of fatty acids and fish in relation to cognitive performance at middle age.
Published in: Neurology 2004; 62: 275-280.
View Study at U.S. National Library of Medicine
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14745067
Low Omega-3 DHA is a Risk Factor for Alzheimer’s, Dementia and other Brain Impairment
Health Condition: Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Cognitive impairment
Summary of benefits:
- Low levels of DHA Omega-3 is a significant risk factor for the development of cognitive impairment
- This study confirmed that persons with Alzheimer’s, dementia and cognitive impairment had significantly lower Omega-3 levels
- The authors suggest that low Omega-3 levels are not just a risk factor for Alzheimer’s but also for general age-related cognitive decline
Number of OmegaVia softgels needed to see study’s benefit: 1 – 2 per day.
Authors & Title: Conquer JA, Tierney MC, Zecevic J, et al. Fatty acid analysis of blood plasma of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, other types of dementia, and cognitive impairment.
Published in: Lipids 2000; 35(12): 1305-1312
View Study at U.S. National Library of Medicine
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11201991
People with Higher Levels of Fish Omega-3 Showed Better Brain Function
Health Condition: brain function and cognition
Summary of benefits:
- The authors studied a group of patients born in 1936
- At the age of 64, those who took fish oil supplements had better brain function and cognition than those who did not take fish oil supplements.
Number of OmegaVia softgels needed to see study’s benefit: 1 – 2 per day.
Authors & Title: Whalley LJ, Fox HC, Wahle KW, et al. Cognitive aging, childhood intelligence, and the use of food supplements: Possible involvement of n-3 fatty acids.
Published in: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2004: 80: 1650-1657.
View Study at U.S. National Library of Medicine
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15585782
Lower Age-Related Brain Decline with Omega-3 Intake
Health Condition: brain function, cognitive decline
Summary of benefits:
- 246 men and women between the ages of 63 and 74 were followed for 4 years
- Those who consumed the most saturated fat and Omega-6 had the highest mental decline
- Those with the most Omega-3 consumption had the best scores for mental performance
Number of OmegaVia softgels needed to see study’s benefit: 1 – 2 per day.
Authors & Title: Heude B, Ducimetiere P, Berr C. Cognitive decline and fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membranes: The EVA Study.
Published in: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2003; 77: 803-808.
View Study at U.S. National Library of Medicine
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12663275
Even Small Amount of Omega-3 Helps Mental Performance in the Elderly
Health Condition: brain function, cognitive decline
Summary of benefits:
- This 5-year study examined the diets of 210 participants aged 70-89
- EPA and DHA Omega-3 consumed was closely monitored
- Fish consumers had significantly less mental decline than those who did not eat fish
- Even consuming 380 mg of Omega-3 daily showed a big improvement in mental capacity
Number of OmegaVia softgels needed to see study’s benefit: 1 per day.
Authors & Title: van Gelder B, Tijhuis M, Kalmijn S, et al. Fish consumption, n-3 fatty acids, and subsequent 5-y cognitive decline in elderly men: the Zutphen Elderly Study.
Published in: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2007: 85(4): 1142-1147.
View Study at U.S. National Library of Medicine
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17413117
Increased IQ – One of the Benefits of Omega-3
Health Condition: brain performance, cognitive ability
Summary of benefits:
- Over 9000 Swedish teenagers were studied for 3 years
- At the end of 3 years, those who ate fish regularly had higher scores in:
- Combined intelligence
- Verbal performance
- Visuo-spatial performance
Number of OmegaVia softgels needed to see study’s benefit: 1 – 2 per day.
Authors & Title: Aberg MA, Aberg N, Brisman J, et al. Fish intake of Swedish male adolescents is a predictor of cognitive performance.
Published in: Acta Paediatrica. 2009; 98(3): 555-60.
View Study at U.S. National Library of Medicine
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19006530
May 19th, 2010 at 1:56 am
[...] Scientific research on Omega-3 and brain health. [...]