Health & Medicine
Omega-3s Fail to Improve Cognitive Function Over Time
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Sep 26, 2013 09:59 AM EDT
Previous studies have suggested that eating fish can actually improve memory skills over time. Yet recent findings debunks this myth, showing that while Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential fatty acids that have been known to help prevent heart disease, joint pains, depression, asthma and reduce a child's risk of ADHD, they won't necessarily improve memory function over time.
Skeptics from the University of Iowa who were uncertain of previous findings tested the validy of this study by examining the affects of Omega-3s on older women.
According to lead study author Eric Amman, he and colleagues examined 2,157 women between the ages of 65 and 80. Each participant was given annual assessments for their thinking and memory skills throughout the span of a six year period.
Researchers hoped with these assessments they could better evaluate several cognitic functions, including things such as fine motor speed, verbal memory, visual memory, etc.
Blood tests were then taken in order to measure the amount of omega-3s in participants' blood. Findings showed no difference between women with high and low levels of omega-3s in the blood at the time of the first memory test to the last. Researchers also found no different between the groups regarding how fast their thinking skills had declined.
Do you regularly take Omega-3 supplements and why?
More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Neurology.
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First Posted: Sep 26, 2013 09:59 AM EDT
Previous studies have suggested that eating fish can actually improve memory skills over time. Yet recent findings debunks this myth, showing that while Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential fatty acids that have been known to help prevent heart disease, joint pains, depression, asthma and reduce a child's risk of ADHD, they won't necessarily improve memory function over time.
Skeptics from the University of Iowa who were uncertain of previous findings tested the validy of this study by examining the affects of Omega-3s on older women.
According to lead study author Eric Amman, he and colleagues examined 2,157 women between the ages of 65 and 80. Each participant was given annual assessments for their thinking and memory skills throughout the span of a six year period.
Researchers hoped with these assessments they could better evaluate several cognitic functions, including things such as fine motor speed, verbal memory, visual memory, etc.
Blood tests were then taken in order to measure the amount of omega-3s in participants' blood. Findings showed no difference between women with high and low levels of omega-3s in the blood at the time of the first memory test to the last. Researchers also found no different between the groups regarding how fast their thinking skills had declined.
Do you regularly take Omega-3 supplements and why?
More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Neurology.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone