Omega-3 supplements may not improve brain function

Key Points:

• A new clinical trial published in The Lancet found that omega-3 fish oil or algae supplements did not improve memory, cognition, or prevent brain cell loss in people at risk for dementia, despite increased omega-3 levels in the brain.
• Researchers emphasize that omega-3 supplements alone are ineffective without a healthy lifestyle, including exercise, stress reduction, quality sleep, and a plant-based diet, as seen in Mediterranean populations who consume omega-3s through diet rather than supplements.
• The study involved 365 participants aged 55-80 with low omega-3 levels and dementia risk factors, including nearly half with the APOE4 gene; despite high-dose supplementation for 24 months, no cognitive benefits or brain changes were observed compared to placebo.
• Experts highlight the importance of obtaining omega-3s from whole foods like fatty fish, nuts, and seeds, which provide additional nutrients, and caution that supplements may not confer benefits if consumed alongside unhealthy lifestyles characterized by poor diet and inactivity.
• While omega-3s remain critical for brain health, especially for those genetically predisposed to Alzheimer's, supplementation should be part of an overall healthy lifestyle to be effective, according to Alzheimer’s prevention researchers.