Fish Oil Failed to Slow Alzheimer’s Decline

Folk wisdom suggests that fish is brain food, but don’t take that saying too literally. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study demonstrates that fish oil is not able to slow or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. This loss of memory and cognitive ability affects nearly 4 million people in this country. We currently have no proven treatments to prevent or reverse the decline. In this study investigators gave patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease either two grams of DHA daily or placebo. There was no difference in the rate of cognitive or functional decline between the two groups. The investigators concluded that fish oil supplements were not useful for people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
[JAMA, Nov 3, 2010]