Increased memory performance omega-3 fatty acids suitable for Alzheimer's prevention?

Omega-3 fatty acids improve memory in old age
Memory decreases with age. Persons with dementia or Alzheimer's disease are particularly affected. However, a recent study by researchers at the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin has shown that natural supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids improves memory in the elderly and may help prevent Alzheimer's.

The intake of omega-3 fatty acids leads according to the researchers to increased human memory. The ability to remember is significantly increased by the natural dietary supplement. This effect could possibly also be used for prevention in dementia or Alzheimer's. The results of the current study will be published in the upcoming issue of the journal "Journal of Alzheimer's Disease".

Improving Omega-3 fatty acids counteract memory loss in old age and could be used to prevent Alzheimer's. (Image: freshidea / fotolia.com)

Preservation of memory in old age
Over a study period of six months, the scientists of the Berlin Charité have examined the influence of natural omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the memory performance in healthy, elderly persons. Loss of memory can be seen in the aging process in all people, but especially in neurodegenerative diseases "such as Alzheimer's dementia or its pre-stage, a mild cognitive impairment, this process is accelerated," reports the Berlin Charité. In addition, there are currently no effective treatment options for these diseases, which is why the prevention and the longest possible preservation of memory performance is of particular importance. Here doctors are constantly looking for new approaches to maintain the performance and thus the independence of patients for as long as possible, so the message from the Charité.

Effect of omega-3 fatty acid on the nerve cells
Ideally, these new approaches should be based on measures "that can already be applied long-term and preventively in healthy older people and can easily be integrated into everyday life", explains Dr. med. Nadine Külzow from the Clinic and Outpatient Clinic for Neurology at the Berlin Charité. The intake of dietary supplements is one such option. Various food ingredients, as well as the omega-3 fatty acids, are said to have a direct effect on the function of nerve cells. Therefore, in their recent study, the scientists studied the effects on memory of taking 2,200 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acid per day over a six-month period.

Targeted nutritional interventions possible?
According to the Berlin Charité, subjects who received omega-3 fatty acids improved their ability to perform a memory task more than subjects who took a placebo in the form of sunflower oil. However, no evidence for a better language learning ability could be found, reports the Charité. "The results of the study point to a long-term strategy for maintaining cognitive performance in old age," the study authors emphasize. Targeted food interventions could be a central element. To what extent the observed improvements are noticeable in everyday life should now be examined in further, larger clinical trials. First, however, the efficacy of a combined administration of omega-3 fatty acids with vitamin B will be analyzed, as studies from Oxford suggest that this could result in synergistic effects, according to the press release of the Charité. (Fp)