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Fish Oil Linked to Lower Alzheimer’s Risk
NY Times ^ | November 14, 2006 | NICHOLAS BAKALAR

Posted on 11/15/2006 1:31:05 AM PST by neverdem

A substance found in fish oil may be associated with a significantly reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other dementias, researchers reported yesterday.

The scientists found that people with the highest blood levels of an omega-3 fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, were about half as likely to develop dementia as those with lower levels.

The substance is one of several omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fatty fish and, in small amounts, in some meats. It is also sold in fish oil or DHA supplements. The researchers looked for a reduced risk associated with seven other omega-3 fatty acids, but only DHA had any effect.

The study, in the November issue of The Archives of Neurology, used data from the Framingham Heart Study to follow 899 initially healthy participants, with a median age of 76, for an average of more than nine years.

The scientists assessed DHA and fish intake using a questionnaire and obtained complete dietary data on more than half the subjects. They took blood samples from all the participants to determine serum levels of fatty acids.

Ninety-nine people developed dementia over the course of the study, including 71 cases of Alzheimer’s disease. The average level of DHA among all the participants was 3.6 percent of all fatty acids, and the top 25 percent of the population had values above 4.2 percent. People in this top one-quarter in DHA levels had a 47 percent reduced risk of developing dementia, even after controlling for body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, smoking status and other known or suspected risks. Risk reduction was apparent only at that top level of DHA — those in the bottom three-quarters in DHA level showed no detectable difference in risk.

People who ate two or more servings of fish a week...

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: alzheimersdisease; dementia; fats; fish; fishoils; omega3fattyacids
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Plasma Phosphatidylcholine Docosahexaenoic Acid Content and Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer Disease

The Times linked the abstract.

1 posted on 11/15/2006 1:31:06 AM PST by neverdem
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To: neverdem

No wonder my memory is still so bloody good ! :)


2 posted on 11/15/2006 1:46:58 AM PST by sushiman
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To: neverdem
BTW, the difference between a "Spanish sardine" and a regular sardine is similar to the difference between white meat and dark meat in chicken - and I highly recommend them as a delicious and convenient way to obtain these nutrients.

The brand I purchase is "Alessi", however I'm not certain if the brand is particularly important.

3 posted on 11/15/2006 2:11:45 AM PST by The Duke (I have met the enemy, and he is named 'Apathy'!)
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To: neverdem
I've been taking Omega 3 concentrated fish oils (high in DHA) for 3 years, but for a different reason....it dropped my bad cholesterol (LDL) by half; from 147 down to 75.

The doctors are still scratching their heads, and the stuff is now available as a prescription.

4 posted on 11/15/2006 5:16:23 AM PST by Victor (If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert." -David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister)
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To: Victor

My doctor just recommended that I take fish oil for my "bad" cholestserol. My overall cholesterol was quite good, however! Yah!


5 posted on 11/15/2006 5:25:21 AM PST by Texas_shutterbug
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To: neverdem

Eat fish and smoke tobacco.


6 posted on 11/15/2006 5:26:39 AM PST by A. Pole (Orwell:He who controls the present, controls the past.He who controls the past, controls the future.)
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To: neverdem

Anyone NOT taking fish oil supplements in nuts!* Eating fish is GREAT, and should be the foundation of a healthy diet, but ALL fish contains some level of mercury (and other bad stuff.) Fish oil supplements are purified. I have NEVER seen any study even hinting at any downside of fish oil supplements.


7 posted on 11/15/2006 5:29:24 AM PST by Onelifetogive (* I'm not a doctor, but I play one on the internet!)
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To: Onelifetogive

I've never had any squeaky fish, therefore I've never felt obligated to oil them. However, I do love the occasional can of sardines.


8 posted on 11/15/2006 5:38:31 AM PST by Oberon (What does it take to make government shrink?)
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To: Onelifetogive
Love your tag line! I think we all have good advice to give each other over and above what our doctors say.

Carolyn

9 posted on 11/15/2006 5:43:05 AM PST by CDHart ("It's too late to work within the system and too early to shoot the b@#$%^&s."--Claire Wolfe)
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To: Onelifetogive
I have NEVER seen any study even hinting at any downside of fish oil supplements.

What about the fishy tasting burps after you take the supplements?

10 posted on 11/15/2006 6:22:16 AM PST by Maceman (This is America. Why must we press "1" for English?)
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To: Victor
I've been taking Omega 3 concentrated fish oils (high in DHA) for 3 years..

How much do you take per day?

11 posted on 11/15/2006 6:44:30 AM PST by mac_truck ( Aide toi et dieu l’aidera)
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To: Maceman
What about the fishy tasting burps after you take the supplements?

Enteric Coated. A few cents more. They dissolve much later in your system. No burping.

12 posted on 11/15/2006 7:03:20 AM PST by Onelifetogive (* I'm not a doctor, but I play one on the internet!)
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To: mac_truck
At least 3 capsules, twice a day, before meals. Also 500 mg niacin each time. The niacin gives you a 'flush" which helps promote the effect in your arteries.

I started by using 'Rescue" available at www.n3inc.com; stuff's not cheap but worth every penny. The same strength is available by prescription called "Omacor">,p> My mother had a carotid artery blockage; totally dissolved in 3 months...the doctors don't know what to say.

13 posted on 11/15/2006 7:03:52 AM PST by Victor (If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert." -David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister)
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To: Onelifetogive
) Fish oil supplements are purified.

I believe that some fish oils are not very pure at all. Look for "molecularly distilled" on the label. Barry Sears discusses qualities of fish oils in his book "The Omega 3 Zone," a follow up to his other Zone Diet books.

I take Carlson's lemon flavored cod liver oil, very pure and rich in omega 3's plus, of course, Vitamin D, not available in "fish oil." I need Vitamin D year round because I live so far north, sunshine rarely touches my skin. Some experts believe that SAD (seasonal affective disorder AKA feeling gloomy and depressed all winter) can be alleviated by Vitamin D, and in fact, lack thereof may well cause or at least contribute to SAD.

14 posted on 11/15/2006 8:41:01 AM PST by Veto! (Opinions freely dispensed as advice)
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To: Victor

Niacin makes me very uncomfortable; the flushing of the skin kinda hurt when I took it, and finally bit the pill into quarters so as to cut the dose, but it still gave me an itchy-yucky feeling in my skin.


15 posted on 11/15/2006 8:43:17 AM PST by -=SoylentSquirrel=- (Heston is STILL my President.)
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To: DixieOklahoma; reuben barruchstein; theprophetyellszambolamboromo; Alusch; house of cards; ...

A great supplement that should be taken by all. I've been taking it for years.


16 posted on 11/29/2006 10:31:07 PM PST by Coleus (I Support Research using the Ethical, Effective and Moral use of stem cells: non-embryonic "adult")
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To: Victor
"The doctors are still scratching their heads"

Then change Dr's they've known about the benefits for decades.

17 posted on 11/29/2006 10:33:25 PM PST by endthematrix ("If it's not the Crusades, it's the cartoons.")
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To: Coleus

I'm not worried. I've still got all my marbles, knock wood. [knock knock] Come in?


18 posted on 11/29/2006 10:35:13 PM PST by SunkenCiv (I last updated my profile on Thursday, November 16, 2006 https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: Veto!

is there a holistic/alternative med ping list?


19 posted on 11/29/2006 10:35:46 PM PST by endthematrix ("If it's not the Crusades, it's the cartoons.")
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To: neverdem
It should be noted however, that fish oil also thins the blood and makes you more susceptible to head injuries and bruising.

Just something to consider before OD'ing on the stuff.
20 posted on 11/29/2006 10:42:32 PM PST by Wiseghy ("You want to break this army? Then break your word to it.")
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