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Alzheimer's
Omega-3 fatty acids help prevent Alzheimer's disease
Omega-3 fatty acids (present in high amounts in oily fish and avocados) have been linked to a wide-range of health benefits, including reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and certain cancers, good development of a baby during pregnancy, joint health, and improved behaviour and mood.
Now US researchers have discovered that an increased intake of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may boost the production of a protein known to destroy the plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Cells from mice, rats, and humans were used by the researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to show that the DHA-induced production of the protein LR11 may cut the build-up of plaque from beta-amyloid deposits, which have been found to result in brain cell damage and the onset of Alzheimer�s.
Commenting on the findings, lead researcher Greg Cole said: 'Because reduced LR11 is known to increase beta-amyloid production and may be a significant genetic cause of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), our results indicate that DHA increases in LR11 levels may play an important role in preventing LOAD.'
Omega-3 fatty acids and Alzheimer's disease: Assessing the results
The new study investigated whether fish oil and DHA could boost LR11 levels, since having high levels of LR11 have been reported to prevent plaque formation, while low levels in patients are believed to be a factor in causing the disease.
The researchers found that even low doses of DHA increased the levels of LR11 in rat neurons. Moreover, dietary DHA increased LR11 levels in the brains of rats or older mice genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer's disease.
The positive effects of DHA on LR11 levels and the apparent protection against Alzheimer's was also found when the researchers used human neuronal line.
Cole stated that he hoped the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) would conduct a large-scale prevention clinical trial using fish oil at the earliest stages of the disease. He added that the NIH needed to instigate this research since it was unlikely that a pharmaceutical company will do so, since fish oil in pill form is readily available and inexpensive.
Sound familiar?
In addition, he added that future research should focus on determining the optimal dose.
'It could be that a smaller amount might be helpful, especially in a place like the south of France, where people are already on a Mediterranean diet,' said Cole.
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