Omega 3 supplements not beneficial for cognitive decline: study

A new study has shown that taking omega-3 fish oil supplements to prevent cognitive decline among the elderly may not be so beneficial at all.

The study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that there is no evidence that these supplements can help maintain cognitive performance. Fish oil pills may not be the best way to get omega-3s too. The findings were published in The Journal of the American Medical Association.

"Contrary to popular belief, we didn't see any benefit of omega-3 supplements for stopping cognitive decline," said lead author Dr. Emily Chew, deputy director of the Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, as reported by the New York Times.

For the study, researchers randomly gave fish oil supplements or placebo to more than 3,000 participants with an average age of 72. The participants monitored the cognitive functions of the participants over the years. After five years, researchers cannot determine which group has been given fish oil supplements or placebo as they found no significant difference in cognitive functions or memory power of the participants.

Dr. Chew added that supplements may not be the best way of acquiring omega-3s.

 "It is possible that eating foods rather than taking any specific single supplement may have an effect," Dr. Chew said in the report by Pierce Pioneer.

According to Dr. Chew, older people may not receive the benefits of supplements. He suggested eating foods such as walnuts, flaxseed and salmon as better bets, reports The Columbian.

"The supplements just don't cut it," Dr. Chew said. "If people are thinking (taking them) is going to help cognitive function, it's not going to do so among the older age group."

As for studies that have shown that people who have diets rich in fish and antioxidants tend to have better brain health, The Standard Daily reports that no evidence could be submitted as proof. In the case of the 2012 research that fish oil supplements could decrease the likelihood of dementia, the review stated that it needed to do more research.

"We've seen it in Alzheimer's Disease that epidemiology evidence suggested hormone replacement therapy may prevent it in women, but then RCT's found women on the therapy actually had a higher incidence of Alzheimers' Disease," said William Brooks, a clinician and reserach fellow at Neuroscience Research Australia, according to the outlet. "I've seen a couple TV programs say Omega-3 is great for kids and learning but the evidence isn't there."