A Swedish study indicated that omega-3 fatty acids have the potential to delay onset of metabolic disorders and associated cognitive decline.

Long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), viz. omega-3 fatty acids, are essential for optimal brain function and mental health. Various studies have shown n-3 PUFA to have beneficial effects on cognitive domains. Similarly, other studies suggest that long chain n-3 PUFA interventions lower high blood pressure and triglycerides and improve glucose metabolism, which are metabolic risk factors.
However, controlled intervention trials of the effect of n-3 PUFA on cognitive functions are scarce. So, Anne Nilsson and her colleagues from Lund University, Sweden, took up a study to evaluate the effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation on cognitive performance in healthy middle aged to elderly subjects and also to relate cognitive outcome to cardiometabolic risk parameters.
Among the participants that included 28 healthy women and 10 healthy men aged 51 to 72 years with BMI ranging from 20 to 30, twenty two were elderly and only one was an occasional smoker. Twenty were included in the test group and the other 18 were in the control group. They were given fish oil (3g/day) or placebo for five weeks, respectively, separated by a five week washout period.
The test group showed significant improvement in cognitive functions. According to the researchers, since n-3 PUFA has several anti-inflammatory properties and chronic inflammation is linked to poorer cognitive functions, n-3 PUFA may be beneficial to cognitive functions due to a general anti-inflammatory effect.
The researchers also found that cardiometabolic risk markers such as systolic blood pressure and triglycerides reduced significantly in the test group.
‘The dietary prevention strategy should preferably include fish in quantities to supply sufficient amounts of PUFA, in addition to other food groups with potential metabolic benefits e.g. whole grain, low-glycemic index foods, fruits, berries, vegetables, and prebiotics’, suggested the authors.
Nilsson A, Radeborg K, Salo I, Björck I. Effects of supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on cognitive performance and cardiometabolic risk markers in healthy 51 to 72 years old subjects: a randomized controlled cross-over study. Nutr J. 2012 Nov 22;11(1):99.
Source-Medindia