Can Supplementing Your Diet Slow Cognitive Decline?

Omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with many health benefits, including health benefits for your brain.

In fact, it has been shown that the omega-3 fatty acid, DHA, is present in high levels in the gray matter of your brain, and that lower levels may lead to problems with memory, cognition, and potentially could lead to dementia.

As reported previously, including more sources of omega-3 fatty acids (fish, krill supplements, certain seeds, and nuts) could lead to a decreased risk for cognitive difficulties (early indicator of cognitive decline).

Now, according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, a higher omega-3 fatty acid intake may be associated with a reduced risk for cognitive problems in the elderly.

Let me explain…

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cognitive Decline

Researchers have determined in prior studies that omega-3 fatty acid intake could be beneficial to brain health.

One omega-3 fatty acid (DHA) has been found in high amounts in the gray matter of your brain.

However, it has also been shown that lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids could lead to an increased risk of cognitive difficulties, cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.

The authors of this study have shown that increased omega-3 fatty acid levels could reduce the risk for cognitive decline in older Chinese adults.

The researchers took information from 1,475 elderly Chinese men and women who were part of The Singapore Longitudinal Aging Study, and who were all over 55 years of age.

Omega-3 fatty acid intake and a mini-mental state exam (MMSE) were performed for baseline measurements.

MMSE was performed once again 1.5 years after baseline measurements were taken.  

From the results of the MMSE, the researchers determined cognitive decline by a two-point drop in MMSE from baseline to follow up.

From their assessments, the researchers showed that daily omega-3 supplement intake was significantly associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline, even after they made adjustments for age, gender, education levels, co-morbidities, presence of vascular disease, smoking, alcohol use, depression, APOE e4 allele, nutritional status,  levels of leisure activities, baseline MMSE reports, and follow up.

They also noted that after excluding participants with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and baseline cognitive impairments, the association between higher omega-3 fatty acid intake and cognitive decline was still strong.

They did note that there was no significant association between fish consumption and cognitive decline.

From their work, they concluded that daily omega-3 fatty acid supplement consumption was independently associated with less cognitive decline in elderly adult Chinese men and women.

Although this study still needs to be verified by more intensive research, the results still show promise for the use of omega-3 fatty acids as a potential preventative treatment option for cognitive decline.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Your Health

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown by research to elicit many different health benefits.

From eye health to heart health, omega-3 fatty acids have been a staple in many people's nutritional plan to potentially improve different health parameters.

Now, according to the results of this study, supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to a reduced risk of cognitive decline in the elderly.

Including more omega-3 fatty acids in your daily routine could slow cognitive decline and may lead to improvements in brain health - especially as you get older.


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