Fish may prevent Alzheimer's

GUELPH, ONTARIO, January 4, 2001 - If you eat more fish or omega-3-enriched eggs, you may have a better chance of avoiding Alzheimer's disease years down the road.

Research led by University of Guelph professor Julie Conquer found that Alzheimer's sufferers, and other elderly patients with cognitive impairments, have lower blood levels of docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, than people with normal cognitive functioning.

DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that already has been found to reduce the risk of heart disease, depression and attention deficit disorder It's concentrated in fish – the fattier the better – such as salmon and tuna, fish oils and omega-3-enriched eggs. The discovery that people with Alzheimer's have lower levels of DHA in their blood is "extremely important," says Conquer, who did the research with scientists from Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre. They examined the blood of 70 subjects in the Toronto area. The findings don't prove that more DHA would prevent the disease, Conquer says. The low levels in Alzheimer's patients "could be a signal or it could be a cause."

In the meantime, it's a safe bet that you should increase consumption of fish to at least two servings a week, or four omega-3-enriched eggs a week, she said. "Eating fish may help to prevent Alzheimer's," she said. "Even if it doesn't, it's good for you anyway." Conquer is herself a vegetarian and takes DHA supplements. "People are not getting anywhere near the DHA they should," she added. The recommended daily allowance for people aged 25 to 49 is 1.5 grams a day of omega-3 fatty acids, of which DHA is one.

-Source: Canadian Press

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