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Can omega-3 help prevent Alzheimer’s disease? Brain SPECT imaging shows possible link

omega-3, Vitamin D supplement
Editors Note:

US Wellness Meats offers a wide variety of nutrient rich 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef, lamb, bison, & Dairy. You’ll also find we carry the highest quality, premium wild-caught seafood, heritage pork, free-range poultry and more! This study is just one more example of science confirming that diet makes a major impact in our health and well-being. Our grass-fed beef and wild-caught seafood products are loaded with Omega-3 Fatty Acids.


Neuroimaging shows increased blood flow in regions of the brain associated with memory and learning for people with higher omega-3 levels.

The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is expected to triple in the coming decades and no cure has been found. Recently, interest in dietary approaches for prevention of cognitive decline has increased. In particular, the omega-3 fatty acids have shown anti-amyloid, anti-tau and anti-inflammatory actions in the brains of animals. In a new article published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers have found that for patients with high omega-3 levels, blood flow in specific areas of the brain is increased.

omega-3

SPECT Brain Imaging Enhances Understanding Of Omega-3 & Alzheimers

“This study is a major advance in demonstrating the value of nutritional intervention for brain health by using the latest brain imaging,” commented George Perry, PhD, Dean and Professor of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Single photon emission computed tomography, or SPECT, can measure blood perfusion in the brain. Images acquired from subjects performing various cognitive tasks will show higher blood flow in specific brain regions. When these images were compared to the Omega-3 Index, a measure of the blood concentration of two omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), investigators found a statistically significant correlation between higher blood flow and higher Omega-3 Index. In addition, they evaluated the neuropsychological functions of the subjects and found that omega-3 levels also correlated with various psychological feelings using a standardized test battery (WebNeuro).

Study Focuses On Omega-3 Fatty Acids Found In Participants

This study drew from a random sample of 166 participants from a psychiatric referral clinic for which Omega-3 Index results were available. The participants were categorized into two groups of higher EPA+DHA concentrations (>50th percentile) and lower concentrations (<50th percentile). Quantitative brain SPECT was conducted on 128 regions of their brains and each participant completed computerized testing of their neurocognitive status.

Reducing The Incidence Of Alzheimers With Omega-3

Results indicated statistically significant relationships between the Omega-3 index, regional perfusion on brain SPECT in areas involved with memory, and neurocognitive testing.

Overall, the study showed positive relationships between omega-3 EPA+DHA status, brain perfusion, and cognition. Lead author Daniel G. Amen, MD, of the Amen Clinics Inc., Costa Mesa, CA, adds, “This is very important research because it shows a correlation between lower omega-3 fatty acid levels and reduced brain blood flow to regions important for learning, memory, depression and dementia.”

Image by RitaE from Pixabay

Dietary Sources For Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Co-author William S. Harris, PhD, University of South Dakota School of Medicine. Vermillion, SD, lends this perspective, “Although we have considerable evidence that omega-3 levels are associated with better cardiovascular health, the role of the ‘fish oil’ fatty acids in mental health and brain physiology is just beginning to be explored. This study opens the door to the possibility that relatively simple dietary changes could favorably impact cognitive function.”

Story Source:

IOS Press. “Can omega-3 help prevent Alzheimer’s disease? Brain SPECT imaging shows possible link: Neuroimaging shows increased blood flow in regions of the brain associated with memory and learning for people with higher omega-3 levels.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 May 2017. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170519124034.htm>.

Journal Reference:

  1. Daniel G. Amen, William S. Harris, Parris M. Kidd, Somayeh Meysami, and Cyrus A. Raji. Quantitative Erythrocyte Omega-3 EPA Plus DHA Levels Are Related to Higher Regional Cerebral Blood Flow on Brain SPECT. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, May 2017 DOI: 10.3233/JAD-17028