Omega-3 Fatty Acid (DHA) May DElay Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease
April 24, 2007 by ruth
Filed under Food & Nutrition
We know that omega-3 fatty acids are good for the brain. We know that Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder. Connect the dots; wouldn’t it be logical to assume that omega-3 fatty acids may then help prevent or slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease?
That’s exactly what UC-Irvine scientists have proven scientifically:
DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, can slow the accumulation of tau, a protein that leads to the development of neurofibrillary tangles. Such tangles are one of two signature brain lesions of Alzheimer’s disease. DHA also was found to reduce levels of the protein beta amyloid, which can clump in the brain and form plaques, the other Alzheimer’s lesion.
It has already been previously shown that DHA may be of help to Alzheimer’s patients, but this study shows that DHA may also delay the onset of the disease.
DHA is found in fish, eggs, organ meats, micro-algae, fortified foods and food supplements.
Why can’t people be told that it is an antioxidant issue. There never was Alzheimer’s before 1900, when people ate natural foods.
Zandi PP, Anthony JC, Khachaturian AS, et al. Reduced risk of Alzheimer disease in users of antioxidant vitamin supplements: the Cache County Study. Arch Neurol. 2004 Jan; 61(1): 82-8