June 13, 2012 — Taking daily omega-3 fatty acid supplements doesn't seem to provide any protection against declines in thinking and memory skills in older adults, a new review of medical evidence suggests.
Because the brain is rich in the type of polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil, researchers had figured that adding more of them to a person's diet could boost memory and prevent the changes that lead to cognitive decline and dementia.
But so-called "gold standard" trials of the supplements have been disappointing.
Looking at three such studies lasting between six months and over three years, researchers found there was no difference in changes on learning and memory tests among 4,000 people who took either omega-3 fish oil supplements or sunflower or olive oil as a comparison.
"The evidence suggests, from what is available at the moment, that taking supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids is not going to benefit cognitive health later in life," said Alan Dangour, a nutrition researcher from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, who worked on the new analysis.
The findings, he told Reuters Health, don't rule out a potential benefit on brain health in some people — and it's still possible long-term use of the supplements may be helpful for preserving thinking and memory skills.
All three studies included in the analysis involved cognitively healthy people over age 60 who were randomly assigned to use supplements or margarine with fish oil or a placebo oil without omega-3 fatty acids.
Read the full story at Reuters.com