Khaberni - A new clinical trial has concluded with surprising scientific results that taking «Omega – 3» supplements does not enhance memory or cognitive capabilities, according to the American network «CNN».
The trial results were published on Thursday in the journal «eBioMedicine», affiliated with «The Lancet» journal, which found that taking fish oil or algae supplements rich in «Omega – 3» with the aim of preventing Alzheimer's disease and dementia, did not achieve any improvement in memory, cognitive functions, or in reducing the loss of brain cells.
Dr. Hussein Yaseen, the lead author of the study and a professor in the Department of Neurology at Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, said: «Using omega-3 supplements as a general and direct solution is not effective.»
He added: «Even when we observed high levels of omega-3 in the brains of the treatment group, there was no improvement in cognitive abilities.»
So, what does achieve positive outcomes?
Dr. Yaseen explains that it lies in improving overall health through exercise, reducing stress, getting enough good sleep, and following a plant-based diet, with omega-3 intake from natural sources such as fatty fish, nuts, and seeds.
He said: «In the Mediterranean region, high levels of omega-3 are a very strong indicator of good cognitive abilities. However, residents of this region do not rely on dietary supplements; instead, they consume fatty fish, exercise, meet friends, and live a calm life away from stress.»
He further stated: «In this context, the importance and positive impact of omega-3 on the brain become apparent. However, if you follow the typical Western diet reliant on fast food, do not exercise, and suffer from stress throughout the day due to work, our study showed that increasing omega-3 levels in your brain will not make a tangible difference.»
Meanwhile, Dr. Richard Isaacson, a researcher in Alzheimer's disease prevention and director of research at the Neurodegenerative Diseases Institute in Florida, said that after years of general messages suggesting that fish oil or algae supplements might prevent dementia, it is time to revisit and scrutinize our understanding.
Isaacson, who did not participate in the new study, added: «Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for optimal brain health, especially among people who carry the APOE4 gene which increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. However, this study shows that their effectiveness is limited among individuals who have not achieved a good health balance initially.»
Why are «Omega – 3» fatty acids essential?
Polyunsaturated «Omega – 3» fatty acids are essential for the survival of any living organism, including humans. They work to lower blood pressure, increase levels of good cholesterol, maintain cellular health, and reduce risks of cancer, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.
The «Omega – 3» fatty acids are crucial for brain health; as up to 60 percent of the human brain is composed of fats (lipids), with «Omega – 3» constituting about 35 percent of those fats, according to experts.
However, since the body does not produce Omega-3 fatty acids on its own; they must be obtained from dietary sources such as salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, in addition to walnuts, chia seeds, and flax seeds.
Because many people do not consume sufficient amounts of fatty fish, seeds, and nuts, the use of dietary supplements has become common.
