The
Los Angeles Times yesterday ran a story discounting the benefits of omega 3 DHA in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. According to a recent study, published in the November 2
nd edition of the
Journal of the American Medical Association, DHA failed to show beneficial changes in brain volume or cognitive abilities.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) responded to these findings, saying that this most recent study does not diminish the important benefits of DHA.
“The concern with this study is that it focused on supplementing DHA in individuals who were currently coping with Alzheimer’s disease. It didn’t answer the question of whether DHA—taken over long periods of time and several years prior to disease onset—could have helped prevent these participants from developing the disease,” said Duffy MacKay, ND, vice president of scientific & regulatory affairs, CRN. “Further, the study only tested DHA under the assumption that it could be used as a treatment, which is highly unlikely given how little we know about Alzheimer’s disease. There is still much to be learned about the potential of DHA—and all omega 3 fatty acids—and the many health benefits they offer consumers.”
In terms of study specifics, researchers followed 402 people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's, who were randomly assigned to take 2 grams a day of omega 3 capsules containing DHA or a placebo. They continued their treatment regimens for 18 months. Cognitive function was measured upon entering the study, and again at 6 months, 12 months and 18 months. They also had MRIs taken of their brains.
CRN says these results are in conflict with results from previous studies, which have suggested that DHA supplementation for longer periods of time—often in conjunction with EPA and prior to the onset of cognitive decline—might help reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Previous studies on the benefits of DHA have also demonstrated its importance in providing essential building blocks for brain tissue, helping maintain normal metabolism and eicosanoid production, and supporting heart and eye health.