Micronutrients & recovery
Higher circulating levels of long-chain omega-3 PUFAs are associated with a lower risk of worsening white matter grade over a 5-year period in older adults.
Consistent intake of long-chain omega-3s may help slow the progression of white matter changes in the brain, which are linked to cognitive decline. This benefit was observed in a 5-year follow-up, suggesting long-term consistency is key.
In multivariable-adjusted analyses, participants in the highest EPA+DPA+DHA quartile had 42% lower odds of developing worsening white matter (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.84; P for trend=0.002) compared with the lowest quartile.
Why this rating
Longitudinal design with serial MRIs strengthens the finding, though observational nature remains.
Source
Circulating Omega‐3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Subclinical Brain Abnormalities on MRI in Older Adults: The Cardiovascular Health Study
Jyrki K. Virtanen et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · 2013
DOI 10.1161/jaha.113.000305
More from this paper
- Higher circulating levels of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (specifically DHA) are associated with a lower prevalence of subclinical brain infarcts and better white matter integrity in older adults.Good
- Circulating levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an intermediate-chain omega-3 from plant sources, are not significantly associated with prevalent subclinical infarcts or white matter grade, and dietary ALA intake shows no significant association with MRI findings.Moderate
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