Omega-3 health update after major new study into claims

Omega-3 health update after major new study into claims Researchers studied hundreds of people across two years Despite being widely touted as a miracle food supplement that can improve cognitive function and protect brain health, a new study claims omega-3 have little to no effect. The new research from Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California suggests that boosting omega-3 levels through supplements has little measurable impact on brain health, despite evidence that the nutrients do reach the brain. The two-year, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial followed older adults at elevated risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that high doses of omega-3s did not improve memory, cognitive performance, or prevent brain cell loss in regions associated with the disease. “We all wish there was a silver bullet for preventing Alzheimer’s, but our findings showed that fish oil supplements do not appear to protect brain health,” said Hussein Naji Yassine, MD, director of the USC Center for Personalized Brain Health and lead investigator of the study. "While omega-3s play an important role in forming brain cell connections needed for cognition, our results do not support fish oil supplements as a preventive measure against Alzheimer’s.” The study recruited 365 adults aged between 55 and 80 who rarely ate fish, a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, and who were considered at increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly half (47%) carried the APOE4 gene, the strongest known genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either daily fish oil supplements or a placebo. The supplement contained 2,000 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid linked to brain function. Researchers first examined whether DHA from the supplement reached the brain. By measuring levels in cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the brain and spinal cord, they recorded an average 17% increase in DHA after six months, confirming that the nutrient reached its target. However, when participants’ cognitive abilities were tested at the start of the study and again after two years, those taking DHA performed no better than those taking a placebo. Brain scans also showed no reduction in shrinkage of the hippocampus, a region associated with memory and commonly used as an indicator of Alzheimer’s progression. The researchers are now investigating why omega-3s can reach the brain without producing measurable benefits. They suggest that omega-3s may be more effective when consumed as part of a Mediterranean-style diet, which is naturally rich in these fatty acids and has been linked to lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease. “We’re focused on better understanding how the brain processes omega-3s and whether factors, such as poor health, dietary pattern, genetic risk and age, may change the brain’s ability to effectively absorb and use omega-3s,” said Yassine. “We are working to develop medications that may help the brain better utilize these nutrients to preserve cognitive function.” Although outside the scope of the study, the researchers emphasise that overall lifestyle factors remain the most effective way to support brain health. “Staying healthy throughout life remains the most powerful tool we have for reducing Alzheimer’s risk, including regular exercise, quality sleep and a balanced diet,” said Yassine. “Living a healthy lifestyle is the brain’s equivalent of getting regular car maintenance and high-quality oil changes. The brain is more likely to lose greater function if health issues in other parts of the body go unaddressed, in the same way that car engines stop working if regular maintenance is skipped.” Other authors on the study include Lina D’Orazio, PhD; Lon Schneider, PhD; Michael Harrington, MD; and Meredith Braskie, PhD, all from the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine.