Omega-3 Fatty Acid May Reduce Alzheimer's Risk

Omega-3, a fatty acid found I fish might help prevent the accumulation of brain proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease. The finding suggests that diets rich in docosahexaenoic acid (commonly known as DHA), which is an omega-3 fatty acid, can help prevent the risk of developing Alzheimer's.

Genetically modified mice used in the study were the first to show that the omega-3 fatty acid can retard the build up of tau, a protein that leads to the development of neurofibrillary tangles. These tangles are one of the two signature brain lesions of Alzheimer's disease The other lesions caused by the accumulation of the protein beta amyloid which clumps in the brain and forms plaque is also reduced by the omega-3 fatty acid, DHA.

There are more than 5 million people in the United States living with Alzheimer's disease. These statistics includes 4.9 million people over the age of 65 and between 200,000 to 500,000 people under the age of 65 with early onset Alzheimer's and other dementias.

There have been earlier studies showing that DHA could be therapeutic value of Alzheimer's patients. The current research is among the first to show that it may delay the onset of the disease. DHA is found in fish, eggs, organ meats, and some food supplements. Diets low in DHA have been linked to impaired mental functioning and DHA levels are lower in the blood and brain of Alzheimer's disease patients.

The most common dementia among older people is Alzheimer's which involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. Alzheimer's begins slowly; the only symptom may be mild forgetfulness, which can be confused with age -related memory change. In the early stages, people may have trouble remembering recent events, activities, or the names of familiar people or things.

The seven warning signs of Alzheimer's disease are:

- Asking the same question over and over again

- Repeating the same story, word for word, again and again

- Forgetting how to cook, play cards, activities that were previously done with ease

- Losing the ability to pay bills or balance a checkbook.

- Getting lost in familiar surroundings or misplacing household objects

- Neglecting to bathe, or wearing the same clothes over and over again, while insisting they have taken a bath or their clothes are still clean

- Relying on their spouse or someone else to make decisions or answer questionsIncreasing omega-3 fatty acids by eating fish and other sources rich in DHA, combined with mental stimulation, exercise, other dietary intakes, and avoiding smoking and stress it is believed to significantly a persons risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.