[PHNUTR-L] Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Prevention of Dementia and Macular Degeneration

[Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD]

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	Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Prevention of Dementia and Macular Degeneration
http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/weeklyupdates/

Reference: 	“Potential role of dietary n-3 fatty acids in the prevention 
of dementia and macular degeneration,” Johnson EJ, Schaefer EJ, Am J 
Clin Nutr, 2006; 83(suppl): 1494S-8S 45046. (Address: Carotenoid & 
Health and Lipid Metabolism Laboratories, Jean Mayer U.S. Department of 
Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts 
University, Boston, MA 02111, USA. E-mail: elizabeth.johnson at tufts.edu ).

Summary: 	In a review article discussing the role of omega-3 fatty acids 
in the prevention of dementia and macular degeneration, it was concluded 
that while firm recommendations can not be made at the present, 
observations based on the Framingham Heart Study suggest that dietary 
intake of DHA, approximately 180 mg/day or more, equivalent to about 2.7 
servings of fish per week, was found to be associated with a 50% 
reduction in the risk of dementia. Furthermore, data from this study 
found that plasma PC DHA content predicted the occurrence of dementia, 
independent of several other variables. Subjects in the highest quartile 
of PC DHA concentration were found to have a 47% reduced risk of 
dementia, compared to subjects in the lower 3 quartiles. Subjects in the 
top quartile of PC DHA concentration were found to consume on average 3 
servings of fish/week, or 180 mg of DHA per day (slightly less than the 
amount found in one capsule of many commercially available fish oil 
supplements). R esults of an intervention study involving 30 subjects 
found that supplementation with 640-800 mg/day (oil containing 15% DHA 
and 3% EPA) improved performance on a dementia scale in 18 of the 
subjects over a period of 6 months. Results of another study involving 
40 subjects found that supplementation with DHA (1.5 g/day) 
significantly reduced aggressive behavior over a period of 6 months, as 
compared with a placebo. In terms of the relationship between omega-3 
fatty acids and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), results of a 
population-based survey of vision (Blue Mountains Eye Study) found that 
consumption of fish was associated with a reduced risk of late 
age-related maculopathy. Results of a prospective, follow-up study 
involving 72,489 subjects, of which 567 developed age-related macular 
degeneration, found that subjects who consumed 4 or more servings of 
fish per week had a 35% reduced risk of AMD, compared with subjects who 
consumed fish 3 times per month. A sign! ificant inverse relationship 
was found particularly with tuna intake. The results of this review 
suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may play an important role in helping 
to prevent dementia and age-related macular degeneration. Additional 
studies – particularly randomized, placebo-controlled, intervention 
trials – are warranted.
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
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