Millions take fish oil for brain health. A two-year study found no benefit
A two-year clinical trial involving older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease found that daily fish oil supplements provided no cognitive benefits. Despite the popularity of omega-3 supplements for brain health, the study showed no improvement in memory or protection against brain shrinkage.
Why it matters
This study challenges the widespread belief that fish oil supplements are an effective preventative measure for cognitive decline, potentially saving consumers money and managing health expectations.
Millions of Americans take fish oil supplements in hopes of protecting their memory and keeping their brains healthy as they age. These products have become a major business, with Americans spending more than $1 billion each year on supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids. These essential nutrients help build and maintain the connections between brain cells that support memory, learning, and other cognitive functions.
But a new study suggests that getting more omega-3s into the brain through supplements may not provide the protection many people expect.
Researchers at Keck Medicine of USC found that even when high doses of omega-3s successfully reached the brain, they did not produce measurable improvements in memory, thinking abilities, or protection against brain shrinkage.
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