Guest guest Posted September 15, 2004 Report Share Posted September 15, 2004 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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