Journal of the American Medical Association: Effect of omega-3 fatty acids, lutein/zeaxanthin, or other nutrient supplementation on cognitive function and Effect of a 24-month physical activity intervention vs health education on cognitive outcomes in sedentary older adults
Researchers in the United States have conducted two clinical trials to assess the benefit of nutritional supplements and exercise on memory and thinking skills. The studies were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on 25 August 2015.
Dr Simon Ridley, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:
“Dementia is a huge global challenge and while the search for effective therapies intensifies, it is also important to look at more readily available tools that may stave off the onset of memory and thinking difficulties.
“Oily fish, which contains omega-3 fatty acids, is thought to be an important part of a healthy diet. Some studies have linked higher omega-3 intake with a lower risk of dementia, but current evidence does not suggest any benefit of taking omega-3 supplements on cognition. Similarly, this clinical trial suggests there is no benefit to taking omega-3 in later life when it comes to memory and thinking skills, although this study didn’t go on to look at a dementia diagnosis. As volunteers in this study had age-related macular degeneration and were being treated for this condition, it is difficult to know how these results apply to the wider population.
“We know that keeping physically active may reduce dementia risk, so it is interesting to see in this trial that there was no impact of exercise in later life when it came to a diagnosis of dementia. As the changes that occur in the brain diseases that cause dementia start 15-20 years before the onset of symptoms, it may be that a similar trial repeated in middle-aged people may have more of an impact on modifying dementia risk. Finding out when different lifestyle changes will have most impact forms a critical component of dementia prevention research.
“The best current evidence suggests that what’s good for your heart is good for your head and that keeping weight and blood pressure in check, quitting smoking and eating a healthy balanced diet can help reduce dementia risk.”
Ends
For further information, or to speak with Dr Ridley, please contact Emma O’Brien, Science Communications Officer at Alzheimer’s Research UK on 0300 111 5 666, 07741 310488 or email press@alzheimersresearchuk.org
Notes to editors:
• Ref: Effect of omega-3 fatty acids, lutein/zeaxanthin, or other nutrient supplementation on cognitive function by Chew, E et al is published on 25 August in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
• Ref: Effect of a 24-month physical activity intervention vs health education on cognitive outcomes in sedentary older adults by Sink, K et al is published on 25 August in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
• Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading charity specialising in finding preventions, treatments and a cure for dementia.
• To help us defeat dementia, donate today by visiting www.alzheimersresearchuk.org or calling 0300 111 5555.
• We are currently supporting dementia research projects worth over £26 million in leading Universities across the UK.
• Our Defeat Dementia campaign, a pledge to raise £100 million in five years to grow the research field and accelerate progress towards new treatments and preventions, was announced by the Prime Minister at the G8 legacy event on 19 June 2014. For more information visit www.dementiablog.org/defeat-dementia
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