title: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and cognitive function: are smaller dosages more beneficial?
abstract: As longevity increases, so does the global prevalence of cognitive dysfunction. Numerous lifestyle and/or dietary interventions such as omega-3 fatty acids have been suggested to improve memory. Therefore, this study examined the consistency and strength of the impact of supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids on overall cognitive function using systematic reviews and meta-analytic methods. Of 905 studies retrieved from all searches, 12 randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. There were differences between studies reporting outcomes for single memory function parameters. Subgroup analysis of doses used (low versus high) indicated that subjects receiving low (<1.73 g/day) doses of omega-3 fatty acids had a significant reduction in cognitive decline rate (-0.07, 95% confidence interval -0.01, -0.02) but there was no evidence for beneficial effects at higher doses (+0.04, 95% confidence interval -0.06, +0.14) compared with the placebo group. This study suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial in preventing memory decline at lower doses.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, London, UK.
authors.forename: Abdul-Razak
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Abubakari
authors.affiliation: Blue Coat School, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Mohammad-Mahdi
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Naderali
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park Campus, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Ebrahim K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Naderali
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; cognitive impairment; dietary fatty acids; docosahexaenoic acid; omega-3