Nutritional Advice El MondoObjectives:
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) have been suggested as a cognitive enhancing agent, though their effect is doubtful. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.
Does supplementation of n-3 PUFA improve cognitive functions of non-demented individuals exclusively of middle age or older?
Study design:
This review article included 24 RCTs with a total of 9,660 participants.
The length of intervention ranged from 3 to 36 months and the daily dose of n-3 PUFA ranged from 230 to 4000 mg/day.
6 studies were conducted in countries where the nationwide blood levels of DHA + EPA were notably low, measuring ≤ 4% in erythrocyte equivalents.
Results and conclusions:
The investigators found that the beneficial effect on executive function demonstrated an upward trend within the initial 12 months of intervention.
This effect was prominently observed with a daily intake surpassing 500 mg of n-3 PUFA and up to 420 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
The investigators found a descending curve following 12 months of n-3 PUFA intervention and when the dosage of EPA exceeded 420 mg/d.
The investigators found, furthermore, these trends exhibit heightened significance in regions where the levels of blood docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + EPA are not very low.
The investigators concluded supplementation of n-3 PUFA (a daily intake surpassing 500mg n-3 PUFA or up to 420mg of EPA during 12 months) has potential benefits to executive function in non-demented individuals exclusively of middle age or older, particularly in individuals whose dietary DHA + EPA level is not substantially diminished.
Original title:
The influence of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on cognitive function in individuals without dementia: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis by Suh SW, Lim E, […], Kim KW.
Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10929146/
Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on EPA and DHA and elderly right here.