Doubts on health benefits of fish oil

Most of the benefits of fish oil are due to the presence of Omega 3 essential fatty acids but the claims that fish oil supplements preserve cognition should not be swallowed hook, line, and sinker

by Ernesto Vania

Fish oil supplements, touted for keeping the heart and circulatory system healthy and aiding in a number of psychiatric conditions, does next to nothing in improving the cognitive abilities in older people, finds a novel study.

In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of nearly 900 septuagenarians, the omega-3 fatty acid supplements had no effect on cognition, according to Alan Dangour, PhD, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and colleagues.

The volunteers were divided into two groups, and all the subjects were in good mental health at the start of the research.

One of the groups got a daily tablet of 700 mg of fish oil (200 mg of eicosepentaenoic acid, or EPA, and 500 of docosahehexaenoic acid or DHA), while the other group received an olive oil placebo for a period of two years.

The cognitive function of all the volunteers was assessed on the basis of paper and pencil tests of memory and concentration at the beginning and then at the close of the study by experienced nurses.

Over a two-year period, there was no difference in cognitive decline in either the fish oil or placebo arm of the study, the longest yet conducted, Dangour and colleagues.

Although, the results find no concrete evidence that fish oil supplements enhances memory or concentration in the elderly, the researchers feel the overall benefits of fish oil supplements cannot be ruled out.

Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid are omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, commonly found in oily fish. They have been associated with cognitive benefits in observational studies, but there was no evidence of a positive effect in a recent six-month randomized trial, the researchers said.

Scientific evidence reveals that fish oil helps in treatment of heart disease, high cholesterol, depression, anxiety, cancer, diabetes, inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, eye disorders, macular degeneration and ulcers. It also supports healthy joint movement, and helps maintain a healthy immune system, and healthy kidneys.

It also helps in weight loss, pregnancy, fertility and skin care (particular for disorders such as psoriasis, acne).

Most of the benefits of fish oil are due to the presence of Omega 3 essential fatty acids such as Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Other useful essential fatty acids include Alpha-linolenic acid or ALA and Gamma-linolenic acid or GLA.