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Fish oils 'don't help ward off dementia' | Fish oils 'don't help ward off dementia' |
(about 17 hours later) | |
By Michelle Roberts Health editor, BBC News online | By Michelle Roberts Health editor, BBC News online |
Taking fish-oil supplements to ward off dementia could be a waste of time, say researchers who have reviewed the best available evidence. | Taking fish-oil supplements to ward off dementia could be a waste of time, say researchers who have reviewed the best available evidence. |
Supplements containing omega-3 offered no greater protection than dummy pills despite suggestions otherwise, the Cochrane Review team found. | |
The three large studies in the review involved over 3,500 people. | |
But experts say longer-term studies need to be carried out for more conclusive results. | |
Gold-standard test | Gold-standard test |
The current work tracked the health of individuals over a period of three-and-a-half years, so it is still unclear whether there might be some brain protection that kicks in if supplements are taken for much longer than this. | The current work tracked the health of individuals over a period of three-and-a-half years, so it is still unclear whether there might be some brain protection that kicks in if supplements are taken for much longer than this. |
The work looked at randomised controlled trials - the "gold standard" test scientists use to check whether a treatment works. | The work looked at randomised controlled trials - the "gold standard" test scientists use to check whether a treatment works. |
And it considered different ways of taking omega-3 - in capsules or margarine spread. | And it considered different ways of taking omega-3 - in capsules or margarine spread. |
Eating plenty of oily fish, such as mackerel, salmon and sardines, will also provide this important fatty acid, which has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease. | Eating plenty of oily fish, such as mackerel, salmon and sardines, will also provide this important fatty acid, which has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease. |
Experts already advise that a healthy diet should include at least two portions of fish a week, including one of oily fish. | Experts already advise that a healthy diet should include at least two portions of fish a week, including one of oily fish. |
However, scientific backing for omega-3's use to prevent dementia has been less forthcoming. | However, scientific backing for omega-3's use to prevent dementia has been less forthcoming. |
This latest review, published by the Cochrane Library, found that participants taking omega-3 scored no better in standard tests of memory and mental performance than those given a placebo. | |
Fish 'still good' | Fish 'still good' |
Co-author Dr Alan Dangour, a nutritionist from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: "From these studies, there doesn't appear to be any benefit for cognitive health for older people of taking omega-3 supplements. | Co-author Dr Alan Dangour, a nutritionist from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: "From these studies, there doesn't appear to be any benefit for cognitive health for older people of taking omega-3 supplements. |
"So the evidence at the moment is very disappointing. But there's still an open question - if we conducted a longer study, what would that show?" | "So the evidence at the moment is very disappointing. But there's still an open question - if we conducted a longer study, what would that show?" |
He added: "Fish is an important part of a healthy diet and we would still support the recommendation to eat two portions a week, including one portion of oily fish." | He added: "Fish is an important part of a healthy diet and we would still support the recommendation to eat two portions a week, including one portion of oily fish." |
Dr Marie Janson of Alzheimer's Research UK said: "Cochrane reviews are an excellent way of pulling together high quality scientific evidence. | Dr Marie Janson of Alzheimer's Research UK said: "Cochrane reviews are an excellent way of pulling together high quality scientific evidence. |
"While taking omega-3 supplements may not be the key to staving off cognitive problems, eating a healthy balanced diet, including fish and other natural sources of omega-3, is important for maintaining good health. | "While taking omega-3 supplements may not be the key to staving off cognitive problems, eating a healthy balanced diet, including fish and other natural sources of omega-3, is important for maintaining good health. |
"We know that what is good for the heart can be good for the head so maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising and keeping our blood pressure in check are all ways that we could reduce our risk of cognitive decline and dementia later in life." | "We know that what is good for the heart can be good for the head so maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising and keeping our blood pressure in check are all ways that we could reduce our risk of cognitive decline and dementia later in life." |
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