Omega-3 Fatty Acid Memory Benefits Put Into Question by New Study

If you are one of those who eat salmon or take or take fish oil supplements hoping to boost your brain health, a new study has disappointing findings for you.

According to a news release from The University of Iowa, omega-3 fatty acids may not help thinking skills after all. Study author Eric Ammann of the University of Iowa in Iowa City said the study involved 2,157 women ages 65-80 who were enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative clinical trials of hormone therapy. The women were given annual tests of thinking and memory skills for an average of six years.

 "There has been a lot of interest in omega-3s as a way to prevent or delay cognitive decline, but unfortunately our study did not find a protective effect in older women. In addition, most randomized trials of omega-3 supplements have not found an effect," said Ammann.

"However, we do not recommend that people change their diet based on these results," Ammann added. "Researchers continue to study the relationship between omega-3s and the health of the heart, blood vessels, and brain. We know that fish and nuts can be healthy alternatives to red meat and full-fat dairy products, which are high in saturated fats."

 The study, published in the journal Neurology, reported no difference between the women with high and low levels of omega-3s in the blood at the time of the first memory tests.

"We do not recommend that people change their diet based on these results. Researchers continue to study the relationship between omega-3s and the health of the heart, blood vessels and brain," Ammann said in a statement.

"We know that fish and nuts can be healthy alternatives to red meat and full-fat dairy products, which are high in saturated fats."