Fish Oil

Good for lots of stuff


http://www.health-news.org/breaking/859/fish-oil-may-keep-alzheimers-disease-at-bay.html

TUESDAY, March 22 (HealthDay News) -- Diets high in the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish such as mackerel, sardines and salmon might ward off Alzheimer's disease.

That's what researchers report in the March 23 online issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

The study was conducted in mice, but senior author Greg M. Cole said it probably applies to humans as well.

"Our data show it works in animals," said Cole, associate director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. "If this works in people, it's clearly going to be one of the ways we protect ourselves from Alzheimer's disease."

An estimated 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association. The disease gradually destroys a person's memory and ability to communicate.

Cole's team studied older mice genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer's disease. They fed one group food fortified with docosahexenoic acid (DHA), the omega-3 fatty acid found in several types of coldwater fish. They fed the other group a diet low in DHA.

Diets low in DHA have been linked to impaired mental functioning, and DHA levels are lower in the blood and brains of Alzheimer's disease patients, Cole said.

After three to five months, which translates to several years in humans, the group of mice fed the DHA-rich diet had 70 percent less buildup of amyloid protein in the brain. This sticky protein is what makes up the plaques in the brain that are the hallmark of Alzheimer's.

"The protein is markedly reduced even when we start the diet late in life," Cole said.

"To come in and intervene late, and see a 50 percent or more reduction [in plaque] is remarkable," he added.

While the worth of omega-3 fatty acids to prevent plaque buildup in humans is yet to be proven, Cole pointed out that omega-3 fatty acids are known to have protective effects on human hearts.

The American Heart Association recommends that healthy adults eat a minimum of two servings of fish a week, especially mackerel, sardines, albacore tuna, salmon, lake trout and herring.

Another Alzheimer's expert praised the study.

"I think it's a very interesting study from a quality lab that has a history of doing work similar to this," said William Thies, vice president of medical and scientific affairs for the Alzheimer's Association. "This is looking at a mechanism that is particularly important in Alzheimer's, the accumulation of amyloid."

"There clearly is less of an accumulation of amyloid in these mice given a DHA-enriched diet," he said. "Exactly why is not quite clear."

This study, he added, "fits nicely with the idea that those things good for your blood vessels are also good for Alzheimer's disease prevention."

Based on the study results, Cole said, it makes sense to increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids. He pointed out that eggs are now supplemented with DHA, and it is also available in fish oil capsules.

In another study by Cole's group, published last year in the journal Neuron, the researchers showed that DHA protected against damage to the "synaptic" areas where brain cells communicate and enabled mice to perform better on memory tests.

The findings suggest that people genetically predisposed to getting Alzheimer's disease may be able to delay its onset by increasing their DHA intake, Cole said.

More information

To learn more about Alzheimer's disease, visit the Alzheimer's Association.

 

what was the article about again? :imagestor

 

That's why I average two salmon filets per week.

 

If you get fish oil, get the coated type. Otherwise you'll be burping up fish taste the whole day.

 

fish oil isn't the only source...flax seed (for example) oil has no aftertaste and is just as good of a souce of omega 3s.. some worry about possible mercury contanimation in fish oil...I've never read a study where they've actually found mercury in fish oil however.

 

Fish oil is the greatest thing on this planet. It's just awesome for so many things. Boo - my Dad is on the Flax Oil buzz at the moment, and is fully converted. I didn't realize that it too contained Omega 3...interesting point .

 

I'll stay away from steroids thank you very much.

 

http://www.bodybuildingforyou.com/health-supplements/flax-seed-oil.htm

 

UDO'S oil.

 

Personally, I think it's all a bunch of crap. You need to get these things in the foods where they naturally exist to get positive benefits from them.

If you're worried about mercury and other bad shit in your fish, don't buy farm raised fish. Ironically, Gordon's frozen "grilled" salmon fillets come from open water salmon, and are much better for you then the "fresh", farm raised salmon you get at the store.