Lee Swanson Research Update

Cognitive Function Benefits from Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids

May 2007

"A moderate intake of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) may postpone cognitive decline in elderly men." That's what researchers at three medical centers in the Netherlands concluded at the end of a recent study.

"Indications have been seen of a protective effect of fish consumption and the intake of omega-3 fatty acids on cognitive decline," scientists said. They noted that few studies of the omega-3/cognitive function connection have been conducted, which prompted the current research. The objective of the study was to examine the associations between fish consumption, the intake of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA from fish and other foods, and subsequent five-year age-related cognitive decline.

Data on fish consumption of 210 participants in the Zulphen Elderly Study, who were aged 70 to 89 years in 1990, and data on cognitive functioning collected in 1990 and 1995 were used in the study. The intake of EPA and DHA was calculated for each participant.

Researchers found that "fish consumers had significantly less five-year subsequent cognitive decline than did nonconsumers."

,American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 85(4):1142-1147, 2007

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