Omega-3/DHA Diet Lowers Alzheimer's Risk

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http://www.mercola.com/2004/sep/15/omega3_alzheimers.htm

 

Omega-3/DHA Diet Lowers Alzheimer's Risk

 

A high intake of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA can help protect the brain

from memory loss and cell damage caused by Alzheimer's disease. For

the first time, neuroscientists have research that suggests that a

diet rich in DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, may help slow the

progression of Alzheimer's and even lower the risk of getting the

disorder.

 

Researchers said the study proved that DHA " dramatically reduces the

impact of the Alzheimer's gene. "

 

They also said the average American easily can add more omega-3 DHA to

his or her diet. Alzheimer's experts suggest several DHA product

options, including fish-oil capsules, high-fat fish or

DHA-supplemented eggs. The human brain absorbs DHA rapidly, making a

constant supply critical for proper cognitive function, eye

development and mental tasks. DHA helps keep the brain membrane fluid,

move proteins and helps to convert signals from other parts of the

body into action.

 

During the study, researchers focused on Alzheimer's damage to

synapses, which are the chemical connections between brain cells that

enable memory and learning.

 

By using mice bred with genetic mutations that cause the brain lesions

linked to advanced Alzheimer's disease, the scientists created a mouse

model to test environmental risk factors for the disorder. The mice

developed lesions, but they showed minimal memory loss or synaptic

brain damage. That's when the researchers took a closer look at what

the mice ate.

 

They discovered that the mice primarily consumed soy and fish, two

ingredients rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

 

Because previous research had suggested that omega-3 might prevent

Alzheimer's disease, the scientists thought the animals' diet could be

fighting the progression of brain damage.

 

To test this theory, the mice were divided into two groups of older

mice, which already showed brain lesions but showed no major loss of

brain-cell activity. Researchers fed both groups of mice safflower

oil, which is not high in omega-3 fatty acids, instead of fish and

soy. The second group also consumed DHA supplements from algae.

 

After five months, scientists compared each group of mice to a control

group that consumed the same diet but did not carry the Alzheimer's

genes. The results surprised them.

 

According to researchers, they found a great deal of synaptic damage

in the brains of the Alzheimer's mice that ate a low-DHA diet. The

results were very similar to the changes seen in human Alzheimer's

patients. Those mice with the disease that did consume large amounts

of DHA performed better during memory tests than the first group.

 

Scientists concluded that DHA was the only possible factor that could

have protected the mice from the synaptic damage and memory loss that

should have occurred from the disease-carrying genes. In other words,

it kept Alzheimer's at bay.

 

Head researchers on the team hope to use this information in a new

study that will track DHA-related biomarkers in urine and spinal fluid

of Alzheimer's patients. Detecting the biomarkers earlier would mean

sooner treatment.

 

Inexpensive sources of DHA include coldwater fish, such as salmon,

halibut, mackerel, sardines and herring. These fish consume algae,

which is high in DHA. However, these fish are more prone to absorbing

mercury, dioxin, PCP and other metals. A less risky, but more

expensive, option is to consume fish oil or purified DHA supplements

made from algae. Other options include DHA-rich eggs laid by chickens

that eat DHA-supplemented feed.

 

EurekAlert September 1, 2004

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

One of the crucial balancing acts on the course to better health is

mastering the ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fats in your daily diet.

These two types of fatty acids are both essential for human health.

However, the typical American consumes far too many omega-6 fats and

not enough omega-3 fats, like DHA, to be healthy.

 

The ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats should be 1:1. Today, our

intake ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 averages from 20:1 to 50:1! This

unbalanced intake could lead to several health problems, while proper

consumption of omega-3 can help prevent disease or improve many

chronic conditions including:

 

* Breast cancer

* Diabetes

* Heart disease

* Ulcerative colitis

* Arthritis

* Childhood Asthma

* Depression

* Hyperactivity

 

The easiest way to balance your ratio is to consume more omega-3 fats

from good sources and to reduce your intake of omega-6 fats. The

primary sources of omega-6 are corn, soy, canola, safflower and

sunflower oil; these oils are overabundant in the typical diet, which

explains our excess omega-6 levels. Avoid or limit these oils.

 

By far, the best omega-3 fats are those found in fish. That's because

the omega-3 in fish is high in two fatty acids crucial to human

health, DHA and EPA. The above article recommends coldwater fish.

Unfortunately, eating most fresh fish--whether from the ocean, lakes

and streams, or farm-raised---is no longer recommended.

 

If you are an avid reader of the newsletter then you already know that

mercury levels in almost all fish have now hit dangerously high levels

around the world, and the risks of mercury now heavily outweigh

fishes' omega-3 benefits.

 

The best way to get omega-3 benefits is to take fish oil and cod liver

oil. This is a clean, safe and pure alternative to fresh fish.

 

While I am well-known as a minimalist when it comes to supplements,

fish oil (in the warm months) and cod liver oil (in the cool months)

are " supplements " that I strongly urge you to add to your daily diet

if you want to prevent disease and increase both the length and

quality of your life.

 

As with most foods, the kind of oil you choose makes all the

difference. Simply put, there are many inferior brands of fish oil and

cod liver oil on the market that, at best, you'll be throwing your

money away on because they have little real benefit, and at worse, can

actually cause you harm over time.

 

I have researched brands and types of fish oil and cod liver oil

extensively, and can say, with absolute confidence, I recommend both

the Living Fuel Omega-3 and E fish oil capsules with full-spectrum

vitamin E and Carlson's brand fish oil and cod liver oil. Both are

rigorously tested for potency and purity.

 

Without the mercury problem, fish would otherwise be immensely healthy