UCLA scientists have confirmed that fish oil is indeed a deterrent against Alzheimer's, and they have identified the reasons why.
The Omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in fish oil increases the production a protein that is found at reduced levels in Alzheimer's patients and which is known to destroy the protein that forms the "plaques" associated with the disease.
The Omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in fish oil increases the production a protein that is found at reduced levels in Alzheimer's patients and which is known to destroy the protein that forms the "plaques" associated with the disease.
"We found that even low doses of DHA increased the levels of LR11 in rat neurons, while dietary DHA increased LR11 in brains of rats or older mice that had been genetically altered to develop Alzheimer's disease," said Cole, who is also associate director of the Geriatric Research Center at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
To show that the benefits of DHA were not limited to nonhuman animal cells, the researchers also confirmed a direct impact of DHA on human neuronal cells in culture as well. Thus, high levels of DHA leading to abundant LR11 seem to protect against Alzheimer's, Cole said, while low LR11 levels lead to formation of the amyloid plaques.
To show that the benefits of DHA were not limited to nonhuman animal cells, the researchers also confirmed a direct impact of DHA on human neuronal cells in culture as well. Thus, high levels of DHA leading to abundant LR11 seem to protect against Alzheimer's, Cole said, while low LR11 levels lead to formation of the amyloid plaques.
University of California - Los Angeles (2008, January 2). Anti-Alzheimer's Mechanism In Omega-3 Fatty Acids Found. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 3, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2007/12/071226003611.htm
Dr. Zach's Comments:
- DHA, the Omega 3 fatty acid found in fish oil, should be an essential part of your diet, as this study show. Not only can it prevent the onset of Alzheimer's, but DHA plays a role in the normal function of every day activity of your brain as well.
- Remember, Omega 3 fatty acids are "Essential Fats". That means your body was designed in such a way that it absolutely needs them on a regular basis for normal function, and you must get them in your diet (because you body cannot create them on its own like other non-essential fats). If you do not get them in your diet, then your body absolutely will malfunction (Alzheimer's, ADD, ADHD, Post-Partum Depression, etc).
- Is a lack of DHA the only cause of these diseases? I doubt it, but research continually shows that Omega 3s in fish oils prevent or correct these and other diseases.
- I'm often asked, "Will flax seed oil do the same thing?" The answer to that is an absolute NO. Flax oil contains no DHA whatsoever, and although your body will convert the Omega 3 fatty acid in flax oil (ALA) to DHA, the conversion rate is terribly inefficient. Most sources cite a conversion rate from ALA to DHA of less than 1%. These sources also cite a recommended daily intake of at minimum 1g (1000mg) of Omega 3 daily with at least half of that being DHA. So, if we need 500mg of DHA as a daily minimum, we would need to consume 50g (50,000mg) of ALA to get the desired amount. Not Practical.
- You can find a vegan source of DHA in the form of Omega 3 oils derived from plankton, but the cost is significantly more than fish oil.
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