Omega 3 & Dementia

A study in the October 2007 journal "Neuroepidemiology" reports there are 3.8 million individuals with dementia in the United States. Since dementia is an inflammatory condition in the brain, many researchers think the use of omega-3 fatty acids may assist with preventing and treating the symptoms associated with dementia. The journal "Nutrition, Cognitive Decline and Aging" explained in a study in 2005 that omega-3 fatty acid deficiency can prevent the renewal of cell membranes and accelerate brain aging.

DHA and Amyloid Beta Peptide

Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is an omega-3 fatty acid identified as having benefits to treat dementia. Amyloid beta peptide is a component of amyloid plaques in the brains of people with dementia. A study in the August 2009 "Prostaglandin, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acid" journal explains that DHA limits the production and accumulation of the amyloid beta peptide toxin, which is known to progress the disease.

DHA and Signaling Pathways

Another way DHA helps in dementia is that it prevents signaling pathways of beta amyloid. DHA suppresses the enzymes that catalyze these pathways. One of the enzymes is responsible for promoting neurofibrillary tangles. These tangles consist of twisted fibers and typically carry nutrients to the cells. However, these tangles collapse when dementia is present. With DHA, the beta amyloid signaling is decreased and the tangles remain capable of functioning properly.

Omega-3 Fat and Dementia Risk Factors

Omega-3 fats positively affect dementia beyond beta amyloid peptides and cell signaling. Omega-3 fats, specifically DHA, has a protective against health conditions that are risk factors for dementia, explains the above-mentioned study in the journal "Prostaglandin, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids." These health conditions include head trauma, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. DHA assists these health conditions by preventing inflammation in the body.

Omega-3 Sources

Omega-3 sources include fish, walnuts, flax seeds and in supplemental form. The omega-3s in wild fish seem to offer the most protection against dementia. This effect was observed in a study in the "Archives of Neurology" in a 2003 study following 815 people over the age of 67 for seven years. After the seven years, there were 170 cases of dementia. Those who ate fish once a week were 34 percent less likely to develop dementia than those who did not.