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Study suggests omega-3s may work better in Mediterranean diet than fish oil supplements

Responsible Seafood Advocate

Researchers found fish oil supplements increased omega-3 levels in the brain but did not improve cognition in older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s

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Study suggests omega-3s may provide greater brain health benefits through diet than through fish oil supplements alone. Photo by Mustafa Türkeri.

A recent study suggests omega-3s may support brain health more effectively through a Mediterranean-style diet than fish oil supplements alone.

Omega-3 fatty acids may be more effective at supporting brain health when consumed as part of a Mediterranean-style diet rather than as standalone supplements, according to researchers investigating ways to reduce Alzheimer’s risk.

The conclusion follows a new study published in eBioMedicine that found high-dose omega-3 supplements increased levels of the nutrient in the brain, but did not improve memory, cognitive function or markers of brain aging in older adults at elevated risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) tracked 365 adults ages 55 to 80 who rarely ate fish and were considered at risk for Alzheimer’s. Participants received either a daily omega-3 supplement containing 2,000 milligrams of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or a placebo over two years.

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The study found that DHA levels in cerebrospinal fluid increased by an average of 17 percent after six months, confirming that the omega-3 reached the brain. However, participants who received the supplement performed no better on memory and cognitive tests than those who received a placebo. Brain scans also showed no difference in the hippocampal shrinkage – a brain region associated with memory and Alzheimer’s risk.

“We all wish there was a silver bullet for preventing Alzheimer’s, but our findings showed that fish oil supplements do not appear to protect brain health,” said Hussein Naji Yassine, MD, director of the USC Center for Personalized Brain Health and lead investigator of the study. “While omega-3s play an important role in forming brain cell connections needed for cognition, our results do not support fish oil supplements as a preventive measure against Alzheimer’s.”

The findings have prompted researchers to look beyond supplements. Based on previous research, Yassine and his team believe omega-3s may provide greater benefits when consumed as part of a Mediterranean-style diet, which is naturally rich in omega-3s and has been associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Can omega-3 fatty acids from fish eggs improve recovery and aging? Scientists aim to find out.

“We’re focused on better understanding how the brain processes omega-3s and whether factors, such as poor health, dietary pattern, genetic risk and age, may change the brain’s ability to effectively absorb and use omega-3s,” said Yassine. “We are working to develop medications that may help the brain better utilize these nutrients to preserve cognitive function.”

While the study focused specifically on omega-3 supplements, researchers emphasized that broader lifestyle habits remain important for brain health, including regular exercise, quality sleep and a balanced diet.

“Living a healthy lifestyle is the brain’s equivalent of getting regular car maintenance and high-quality oil changes,” said Yassine. “The brain is more likely to lose greater function if health issues in other parts of the body go unaddressed, in the same way that car engines stop working if regular maintenance is skipped.”

Read the full study.

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