Fish Oil Protects Memory & Reaction Skills

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid, found abundantly in cold water fatty fish such as salmon.  Recent previous studies have identified that DHA is essential for the growth and functional development of the brain in infants. Welma Stonehouse, from Massey University (New Zealand), and colleagues enrolled 176 healthy adults, ages 18 to 45years, who were randomly assigned to receive either DHA supplements (1.16 g/day), or placebo, for six months.  Cognitive performance was assessed by using a computerized cognitive assessment.  Among those receiving the DHA supplements, women subjects experienced greater improvements in episodic memory, whereas men displayed 20% increased reaction times of working memory.   Further, the researchers examined the apoliprotein E genotype (ApoE), a risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease.  Male subjects who were both ApoE4 carriers and non-carriers benefitted from DHA supplements for reaction times of working memory, with considerably greater effect in the gene carriers.  The study authors conclude that: “[docosahexaenoic acid] supplementation improved memory and the RT of memory in healthy, young adults whose habitual diets were low in [docosahexaenoic acid].”