Fish oil and antioxidants help clear Alzheimer’s proteins in brains of people without the disease

Supplementation with omega 3 and antioxidants can have significant effects in patients with minor cognitive impairment

Amyloid-β (Aβ) protein accumulates in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) because of defective Aβ phagocytosis by monocytes and macrophages. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, have been shown to partially recover Aβ phagocytosis in vitro. Now, research reveals that supplementation with omega-3 and antioxidants can have significant effects in patients with minor cognitive impairment (MCI).

Patients took a liquid supplement, containing docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, botanical antioxidants, vitamin D3 and resveratrol daily for 4–17 months. In patients with MCI and normal cognition – but not in those with AD – the supplement was associated with increased phagocytosis of Aβ by monocytes and increased macrophage levels of resolvin D1, which stimulates phagocytosis.

“Cognitive benefits of omega-3 supplementation in patients with MCI should be tested in a clinical trial,” the authors conclude in The FASEB Journal (2015;29:2681–2689).

References

[1] Milan F, Ramesh CH, Bien S et al. ω-3 Supplementation increases amyloid-β phagocytosis and resolvin D1 in patients with minor cognitive impairment. FASEB J 2015;29:2681–2689. doi:10.1096/fj.14-264218.

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Citation
The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ, 25 July/1 August 2015, Vol 295, No 7872/3;295(7872/3):DOI:10.1211/PJ.2015.20068963

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