A recent clinical trial has found that taking omega-3 supplements may not improve memory or cognition in individuals. The study, which involved 365 people between the ages of 55 and 80, discovered that those who took a high dose of omega-3 algae supplement for 24 months showed no significant improvement in cognitive function compared to those who took a placebo.
What Works for Brain Health
According to the study’s lead author, Dr. Hussein Yassine, optimizing one’s health through exercise, stress reduction, quality sleep, and a plant-based diet, along with consuming omega-3s from fatty fish, nuts, and seeds, is a more effective approach to supporting brain health. Dr. Yassine emphasized that omega-3s are essential for brain health, but they must be part of a broader healthy lifestyle.
The study’s findings suggest that simply taking an omega-3 supplement is not enough to improve cognitive function, especially for those who do not maintain a healthy lifestyle. As Dr. Richard Isaacson, an Alzheimer’s prevention researcher, noted, omega-3s are crucial for brain health, particularly for individuals with the APOE4 gene, which increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. However, the study showed that omega-3 supplements did not work well in people who had not already optimized their health.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
