Improve Brain Health With Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that affects older men and women.

It is a disease that gradually gets worse over time, with no known cure to stop or even slow the disease down.

It has been shown that certain plaque molecules, called Beta Amyloids, could be a contributing factor for the development of both dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

In fact, it has been shown that AB40 and AB42 are plaque molecules that have been linked to an increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s.

AB42 could be the most crucial plaque linked to the start of the disease process.

Now, a new study published in the Journal of Neurology could show a potential link between your intake of omega-3 fatty acids and a reduced risk for the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Let me explain…

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Alzheimer’s Disease

In many different studies, there has been an association between different nutrients and your risk for developing AD.

Those same studies also show that beta amyloid plaque formation could play an integral role in the development of AD.

However, not a lot is known regarding the connection between dietary nutrients and its effects on AB40 and AB42 levels.

AB40 and AB42 are specific beta amyloid plaques, that when present, increase your risk for the development of AD.

The authors of the current study wanted to see if there was a relationship between different dietary nutrients and plasma levels of AB40 and AB42.

They recruited 1,219 cognitive-healthy (free from cognitive issues including dementia and AD), elderly adults who were 65 years or older to participate in a community-based, multi-ethnic cohort study.

The researchers assessed dietary intake approximately 1.2 years prior to finding the participants' levels of beta amyloid.

They were looking to assess the relationship between 10 different nutrients and plasma levels of AB40 and AB42.

The nutrients they assessed for included: saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins E, C, B12, and D, folate, and beta carotene.

From their research, they showed that people with the highest omega-3 fatty acids intake showed lower levels of AB40 and AB42.

Also, they noted that when they adjusted the results for age, social class, education, etc., they showed omega-3 fatty acids continued to be a strong predictor for AB42.  Plus, omega-3 fatty acids slowed the increase in AB40.

Slowing the production of AB40 and AB42, could reduce your risk for the development of AD, since both have been shown to be strong plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease risk. 

All other nutrients they tested for did not affect plasma levels of AB40 or AB42.

From their work, the researchers concluded that high dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids could be associated with lower levels of AB42.   They also concluded that a reduction in AB42 could be linked to a reduced risk for AD and slower cognitive function decline.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Your Health

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown in clinical research to be beneficial to your health.

In fact, it has been linked to improved heart health, cognitive function, eye health, and bone and joint health.

Now, according to the results of this study, omega-3 fatty acids could be linked to a reduced risk for the development of Alzheimer’s disease and a slowing of the loss of cognitive function.

Including more omega-3 rich foods into your diet (fatty fish, shellfish, and certain nuts) could significantly improve your health, especially as it relates to brain health and cognitive function.


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References:

Gu, Y.  Schupf, N.  Cosentino, SA.  Luchsinger, JA.  Scarmeas, N.  Nutrient intake and plasma β-amyloid.  Neurology.  2012. doi: 10.1212/WNLL.0b013e318258f7c2.