Higher Blood Omega-3 Levels Linked to Lower Risk of Early-Onset Dementia

In this study, researchers studied whether levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood are linked to the risk of developing dementia before the age of 65, known as early-onset dementia. This type of dementia is less common than dementia in older people but can have serious personal and social consequences. Previous research has suggested that diet may play a role in dementia risk, but most studies have focused on older adults. Published in the Clinical Nutrition journal, this latest study examined data on more than 217,000 middle-aged adults from the UK Biobank.

The participants were followed for an average of just over eight years. During this time, 325 people developed early-onset dementia. When researchers compared people with the lowest omega-3 levels to those with higher levels, they found that people with more omega-3 in their blood were much less likely to develop the disease. Those in the higher groups had around a 40 percent lower risk than those in the lowest group. This lower risk was seen for total omega-3 and for several specific types, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and other omega-3 fats.

The researchers also looked at whether genetic risk for dementia changed the effect of omega-3, but they found no clear link. This means the protective association appeared similar regardless of a person’s genetic background. Overall, the study suggests that getting more omega-3 fats earlier in adult life – such as from oily fish, nuts, or supplements – may help reduce the risk of developing dementia at a younger age.

To check out Dr. Rath’s Cellular Health recommendations for optimum cognitive performance, see this page on our website.