Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements Don't Improve Brain Health: Study

The supplements industry is big and fish oil supplements one of the biggest in marketing terms. A new study flies in the face of claims that such supplements prevent cognitive decline.

Researchers, who studied the effect of omega-3 supplements on older adults at risk of macular degeneration, concluded that supplements have no significant benefits in preventing cognitive decline. The Washington Post reported that the findings come from one of the largest and longest in duration studies.

"Contrary to popular belief, we didn't see any benefit of omega-3 supplements for stopping cognitive decline," said Emily deputy clinical director at the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of NIH.

For the study, researchers followed 4,000 patients with mild or intermediate macular degeneration for five years. The average age of participants was 72 years. At the beginning of the study they were tested for cognitive functions including recall, attention and memory. The test was administered two years and fours years later.

Researchers maintain the study's findings do not cover naturally occurring foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

"Where studies have surveyed people on their dietary habits and health, they've found that regular consumption of fish is associated with lower rates of AMD, cardiovascular disease, and possibly dementia. We've seen data that eating foods with omega-3 may have a benefit for eye, brain, and heart health," Dr. Chew explained.

The study was published in the Journal of American Medical Association.