Omega-3 Fatty Acids Prevent Alzheimer's in the Elderly

Regular consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids helps older women ward-off brain shrinkage and memory loss.

A recent  study published in the medical journal  American Academy of Neurology, suggests that high omega-3 fatty acids  levels in the blood protect  the  brain from volume loss due to aging and Alzheimer's and even increase brain health by two years.

A team of experts at the University of South Dakota assessed 1,111 post-menopausal women with an average age of 70 years from Women's Health Initiative Memory Study. They increased the levels of omega-3s in the diets of these women to check how these fatty acids are associated with brain shrinkage levels.

The levels of DHA and EPA (docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid) found in fatty acids show up in red blood cells. In a follow up eight years after the assessment, DHA and EPA levels were recorded in these participants and MRI scans done to check total brain volume. The results showed women with twice the high levels of fatty acids had 0.7 percent larger brain volume. They also found 2.7 percent increase in the volume of hippocampus area that is associated with learning and memory.

Study author and assistant professor at the University of South Dakota, James Pottala said, "It's likely that fish oil doesn't increase brain volume, but prevents brain shrinkage with age."  The brain uses DHA to build anti-inflammatory compounds that prevent shrinkage and DHA is concentrated in the nerve cell membranes. Insufficient amounts of fatty acids may cause gradual decline of matter. Shrinkage in the brain volume is often associated with cognitive decline and Alzheimer's that affects nearly 5 million people in the U.S and the count is estimated to triple by 2050.

Professor Pottala also said increased consumption of these fatty acids by 7.5 percent, which can be achieved by eating oily fish twice a week, adds two extra years of brain health. Non fried oily fish like Salmon, herring, tuna, sardines, etc are some of other rich sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. For people who don't eat fish, supplements are recommended as the body is poor in processing omega-3s found in plant sources.

The study is supported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.