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Although no one knows what causes Alzheimer's
disease, many research studies indicate that
those who regularly eat fatty fish or who
supplement with fish oil have a lower risk of
developing Alzheimer's disease later in life.
Why this is the case remains an interesting
topic of investigation but it is believed to
be due, at least in part, to the role Omega 3
fatty acids play in the general functioning of
the brain itself.
Omega 3 fatty acids are known to improve
mental function, mood, memory, and
concentration and have already demonstrated
considerable success in the treatment of
conditions such as depression, anxiety,
bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADD and ADHD.
Currently there is no cure for Alzheimer's,
although research does indicate that Omega 3
fatty acids can slow down the ageing of the
brain and possibly delay the onset as well as
slow down the progress of Alzheimer's too.
One research team from Aberdeen and Edinburgh
University led by Professor Lawrence Whalley,
questioned approximately 300 people aged 64 on
their Omega 3 intake, and they tested their
blood levels of Omega 3. The participants had
previously taken part in a survey on IQ in
1947 when they were 11 years old. They found
that those who had taken Omega 3 supplements
showed better results on mental speed tests
and there was even an association between the
results and the level of Omega 3 in the blood
of the participants. The team reported that
the evidence seemed to suggest that Omega 3
could slow down the ageing of the brain and
help it to work faster.
Another study conducted by Uppsala University
in Sweden looked at the effect of Omega 3
fatty acids on patients who already had
Alzheimer's disease. Researchers gave 89
patients the Omega 3 fatty acids
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) for a period of 6
months and another 85 were given a placebo in
the form of corn oil. After the initial
6-month period, the placebo group also
switched to Omega 3 for a further 6 months.
Although there was no real differences noted
between the two groups in general, there was
an interesting result where 32 patients who
had milder mental impairment showed less of a
decline whilst taking Omega 3.
The results of both these studies indicate
that Omega 3 supplementation might not only
improve mental function in the twilight years,
it could possibly be beneficial in slowing
down the progress of Alzheimer's disease,
particularly in the early stages, however,
more research is required to substantiate
this.
DHA deficiency and the "fatty acid paradox"
The brain is composed mostly of fat, in
particular, the Omega 3 fatty acid
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Patients with
Alzheimer's disease and other forms of
dementia have shown very low concentrations of
DHA in the brain indicating a possible DHA
deficiency. This has naturally led to the
conclusion that supplementing with DHA might
offer therapeutic help.
However, what has been dubbed the "fatty acid
paradox" is the belief that the best way to
correct any DHA deficiency is not by
increasing intake of DHA as one might expect,
but to increase intake of EPA instead. If
enough EPA is present, the body can produce
DHA as required.
EPA is believed to inhibit the activity of the
enzyme phospholipase A2. Over-activity of this
enzyme is associated with neurotoxicity and
death of brain cells and is a feature of
Alzheimer's disease as well as other
neurodegenerative diseases.
What is Alzheimer's disease?
Alois Alzheimer first identified Alzheimer's
disease in the early 1900's. It affects over
half a million people in the UK alone. It is
characterised by progressive mental decline
and begins with periods of memory loss,
confusion, and personality changes before
proceeding to full-blown dementia with
complete loss of most cognitive abilities and
even physical abilities. No one knows what
causes it, it is irreversible, and there is no
cure. It is relatively rare under 50 years of
age but the chances of developing it increase
the older you become. Medication is aimed at
slowing down the progression of the disease.
It is not the same as normal age-related
cognitive decline where some impairment in
mental function is considered a normal part of
the ageing process.
Conclusion
Although no evidence exists that Omega 3 fatty
acid supplementation prevents you from
developing Alzheimer's disease, the
indications are that increasing intake of
Omega 3 does decrease your risk of developing
Alzheimer's disease later in life. There are
indeed many other health benefits afforded by
getting an adequate amount of Omega 3 in the
diet including increased protection against
cardiovascular disease, arthritis and many
other inflammatory conditions. Bearing in mind
the toxicity risk involved in eating too much
fresh fish, supplementing with high quality
fish oil would seem the best way to gain the
protective benefits associated with Omega 3
fatty acids…
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