Mind & Mood

Omega-3 and vitamin D preserved memory in AD, reduced depression

Omega-3 preserved memory in AD

In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), memory continually deteriorates. In the first phase of this study, 33 people with mild to moderate AD took 2,300 mg of omega-3 fish oil per day, or did not take omega-3 supplements. Doctors tested memory at the start of the study, and again at the end.

After three months, memory function remained stable in those with mild AD who had taken omega-3, while declining in those who had not taken the fish oil supplement. Participants then switched, with the non-supplement group beginning to take omega-3 and the other group stopping the supplement. After the following three months, memory function remained stable in those with mild AD who had begun taking omega-3 in the second phase.

Reference: Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease; 2021, Vol. 83, No. 3, 1291-1301

Omega-3, vitamin D, and depression

In this study, 168 pre-diabetic women of childbearing age, who were also low in vitamin D, took a placebo; 50,000 IU of vitamin D every two weeks; 2,000 mg of omega-3 fish oil per day; or vitamin D and omega-3 together.

After eight weeks, symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality had all deteriorated for placebo while improving for all three supplement groups. Those taking omega-3 together with vitamin D saw the greatest improvement in these symptoms, and had the largest increase in circulating levels of vitamin D. Doctors said omega-3 with vitamin D improved mental health and sleep quality in pre-diabetic women of childbearing age who were low in vitamin D.

Reference: Brain and Behavior; 2021, brb3.2342, Published Online