Could Fish Oil Benefit the Brain in Older Adults? Here’s What the Research Says

Could fish oil benefit brain health in older adults? Well, that depends. A modern study finds that while a specific group of older adults may benefit from regular fish oil employ, the general population did not experience the same benefits.

Clinical test A study conducted at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) examined the effects of fish oil on brain health in older adults and found that omega-3 fatty acids may benefit people with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease. However, the researchers found no significant benefits for all older adults.

Researchers examined the progression of white matter lesions (WMLs) and the breakdown of neuronal integrity, factors associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, among 102 participants aged 75 years and older.

Participants typically had relatively low blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil. To assess the extent of changes in white matter damage, they underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain at enrollment and at the end of three years. These participants either received a three-year treatment of 1.65 grams of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or a placebo in the form of soybean oil that tasted and looked similar.

“Our results showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the placebo group and the fish oil group over the three-year period. I don’t think it’s harmful, but I wouldn’t say you need to take fish oil to prevent dementia,” said Lynne Shinto, a senior co-author from OHSU, in Press Release.

“Although ω-3 treatment did not significantly reduce the progression of WML and the breakdown of neuronal integrity among all participants at risk for dementia, the results suggest that APOE*E4 carriers may benefit from ω-3 treatment,” the researchers wrote in a study published in the journal Jama Network. APOE*E4 carriers are a known genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

The study has some limitations due to the demographic and geographic homogeneity of the participants, which limits the generalizability of the results. “A future multicenter study would have the ability to include a more ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse population and provide an adequate sample size to allow for assessment of clinical benefit,” the researchers wrote.