Taking omega-3 supplements may provide no mental or cognitive benefit

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(CBS News) Omega-3s might not provide the mental and cognitive benefits that were previously thought, according to a new study.

Looking at research from three large studies of over 3,500 people, scientists discovered that individuals who took omega-3 for up to 3.5 years didn't see an increase in memory, mental skills or verbal skills. The research was published in The Cochrane Library on June 13.

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"From these studies, there doesn't appear to be any benefit for cognitive health for older people of taking omega-3 supplements," Dr. Alan Dangour, a nutritionist at LSHTM and co-author of the report, said in the press release. "However, these were relatively short-term studies, so we saw very little deterioration in cognitive function in either the intervention groups or the control groups. It may take much longer to see any effect of these supplements."

Omega-3s are commonly found in fatty fish and algae, as well as flaxseed and plant sources, according to WebMD. It is considered to be an essential fatty acid necessary for our bodies to function, and has been known to reduce inflammation throughout the body in areas like blood vessels and joints.

Subjects involved in the studies were all over 60 years old and didn't have any signs of poor cognitive health or dementia at the beginning of the trial. They were given omega-3 either in capsule or margarine spread form, and their results were compared to individuals who were given sunflower oil, olive oil or regular margarine.

Participants given the omega-3 in either form did not score higher in standard mental state examinations or in memory and verbal fluency tests than those given placebo. However, researchers recognized that the test period was relatively short, and there may be benefits from taking omega-3s over a longer duration.

However, that isn't to say that omega-3 isn't good for you. The compound has been shown to help lower heart disease. Dangour added that fish is still a part of a healthy diet, and that doctors recommend people eat two portions a week, including a portion of oily fish, for their other health benefits.

Dr. Marie Janson of Alzheimer's Research U.K. added to the BBC that even though omega-3 supplements may not help with cognitive problems it does help provide a balanced diet.

"While taking omega-3 supplements may not be the key to staving off cognitive problems, eating a healthy balanced diet, including fish and other natural sources of omega-3, is important for maintaining good health," she said to the BBC.

[wallmartcom]

There are three primary types of omega-3 fatty acids that come from foods. These are ALAs, or alpha-linolenic acids, EPAs, eicosapentaenoic acids, or DHAs, or docosahexaenoic acids. Once consumed, the body converts ALA to EPA and DHA, the two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids that can be more readily harnessed and used by the body. the best omega 3 is the combination of 3,6 and 9
www.cleansemart.com/index.php/cardiovascular-health/evening-primrose-oil-omega-6-3-evening-primrose-oil-salba-oil.html
Research has indicated that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation with injuries and help reduce the risk factors for many chronic diseases like heart disease, arthritis, and cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids are very concentrated in the brain and seem to play an integral part in the bodys cognitive and behavioral functions, which have to do with memory and performance.

A balanced diet of Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6 fatty acids work together to maintain overall health stability within the body. For example, Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce the inflammation in our body, while most omega-6 fatty acids tend to promote inflammation.

[foodandart]

I've always been baffled by the fish oil claims and the willingness of people to use the stuff, thinking that they are getting the best source of omega-3's they can.

The best source, as Ian points out IS plant-based.

The best plant is in fact a seed. Hemp seed. Grown in Canada and found in health food stores.

A few heaping teaspoons topping a salad and you're good. Hempseed is rather like sunflower seeds in flavor but with a *much* higher oil content.

This whole 'reductionist' view of nutrition is flawed in the first place. What the McFood industry is dealing with are a few well-known, identified chemicals in foods - vitamins A, B, C, D, etc. and the rest are only the most known nutrients that the *bacteria* in one's gut - the internal flora - use or create from the foods you eat.

This reductionist approach to eating is why so many people today are constantly ill: We have by dint of the food industry, become consumers of foods that are refined to the point where any beneficial chemicals that our digestive bacteria can use are gone.

Adding a single vitamin or supplement misses the point that it is turning out to be the 'micronutrients' - the un-named *other* chemicals in living food, that seem to convey a greater benefit of health than previously thought.

Just eat FRESH food - it doesn't have to be organic.. just fresh and still as close to alive as possible.

Healthy living food for a healthy living human body.

Regards,