Reports on Fish Oils
and Alzheimer's Disease

Recent research on fish oils and Alzheimer's disease show omega 3 fatty acids may play a role in reducing your risk for getting the disease.

What is Alzheimer's Disease? Alzheimer's is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by problems with memory, behavior and thinking.

There is currently no cure for the disease, but there are treatments that may reduce or alleviate some of the symptoms associated with the disease.

But can you use fish oils to treat or reduce the symptoms of this condition? While research is still ongoing, here are the latest studies looking at the effects of fish oils and omega 3 fatty acids on Alzheimer's disease and its symptoms.

1. Fish Oils may Reduce Risk for Alzheimer's by 60%

Chicago, Illinois - Researchers at the Rush Institute of Healthy Aging conducted a study to see if consuming fish and different omega 3 fatty acids will protect against Alzheimer's.

Eight hundred and fifteen (815) participants unaffected by Alzheimer's disease (between the ages of 65 and 94) were monitored from 1993 to 2000 and then followed-up for a 4 year period to see if they developed Alzheimer's.

Researchers discovered patients who ate fish once or more per week, or increased the amount of omega 3 fatty acids in their diet, had a 60% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

While these are only the results of one single study, the results are encouraging. Here are more studies looking at specific diets, fish oils and Alzheimer's disease.

2. Omega 3's may reduce Symptoms in mild Alzheimer's Disease

Stockholm, Sweden - A study published in the October 2006 issue of the Archives of Neurology suggests fish oil supplements may slow cognitive decline in patients with very mild Alzheimers.

This double-blind, placebo-controlled study had one hundred and seventy four (174) Alzheimer's patients received either a placebo or 430 mg. of DHA, along with 150 mg. EPA; four times a day.

The randomized treatment lasted for 6 months, and then all subjects received the fish oil supplements for another 6 months.

Patients who took omega 3 fatty acids experienced less change in their rate of cognitive decline compared to those who took the placebo.

A smaller group of thirty two (32) patients with mild Alzheimer's disease experienced a significant reduction in their rate of cognitive decline, compared to the placebo group.

And surprisingly enough, when the placebo-group patients took the omega 3 supplements for 6 months post-placebo trial, they also experienced the same reduction in mental decline.

3. Lower your Risk for Alzheimer's with a Healthy Diet

France - Newly released data from a 3-city study in France shows you may reduce your risk for dementia and Alzheimer's by increasing your consumption of fish oils, fruits, vegetables and other omega 3 oils, such as flaxseed oil.

A total of 8,085 patients aged 65 and over, without dementia or Alzheimer's, were included in a 3-city study in Dijon, Montpellier and Bordeaux in 1999 - 2000. All participants had at least one re-examination during the study.

At the end of the 4 year study an independent committee of neurologists confirmed 281 cases of dementia, including 183 cases of Alzheimers.

How your diet may affect your mental health:

• Weekly consumption of fruits and vegetables was associated with reduced risk for dementia.

• Eating fish every week resulted in a lower risk for Alzheimer's and dementia, especially among participants not carrying the gene associated with the disease.

• Regular use of omega 3 rich-oils (fish, flaxseed and walnut oils) was associated with decreased risk for dementia.

An interesting note is researchers found an increased risk for dementia among participants who didn't increase their intake of fish or omega 3 oils and ate a diet high in omega 6 oils (vegetable oils).

Editorial Comments on Fish Oils and Alzheimer's Research

Omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil may lower your risk for Alzheimers Disease

While these study results are encouraging, researchers are still unsure of a direct connection between fish oils and Alzheimer's disease.

The current hypothesis is fish oil's anti-inflammatory properties may have a positive effect in early (but not later) stages of the disease. However, scientists caution that more in-depth research is needed before forming any conclusions.

Although it may be premature to prescribe fish oils for people with Alzheimer's disease, research shows eating plenty of fatty fish, fruits, vegetables and other omega 3 oils may lower your risk for Alzheimer's disease by up to 60%.

While the research looks encouraging for fish oils and Alzheimer's disease, there are other factors you may need to look at for optimal mental health.

Poor nutrition, environmental pollutants, stress, and illnesses may increase your risk for accelerating problems with your memory and concentration.

The Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation recommends, "....a vast intake of fruits and vegetables, eating fish rich in omega-3 oils and vegetarian protein substitutes (such as soy) are protective against memory loss."

The use of prescription medications may reduce symptoms for some individuals, but you can also use non-medicated methods to improve your psychological well-being.

Fish oils and Alzheimer's Disease Research References:

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