Omega-3 May Ease Depression Symptoms, Slash Dementia Risk

Dementia is a term used to describe a group of symptoms related to disorders that affect the brain. These disorders or conditions result in damaged brain cells or connection interference between brain cells, thus affecting normal activities and relationships.

People with dementia lose their ability to solve problems and maintain control over their emotions. Memory loss is a key symptom of dementia but only when combined with other significant impairment of brain functions such as language skills, perception, cognitive skills, and the ability to reason. Those who suffer from dementia may experience behavior and personality changes expressed as agitation, delusional tendencies and hallucinations. Although dementia is more noted in the elderly, it is not part of the aging process and its onset can be seen in younger people as well.

Dementia - a Growing Health Concern

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, but there are other types such as vascular dementia, mixed dementia, dementia with lewy bodies, Parkinson's disease, and several other lesser known mental disorders. According to the United States Congress Office of Technology Assessment, about 6.8 million people in the United States suffer from dementia. About 1.8 million of these are severely affected by the disease. 1

The 2011 figures of the Alzheimer's Association estimates that 5.4 million people in all ages have Alzheimer's - of this 5.2 million are over the age of 65. About 13 percent of the population or one in eight people aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's. It is estimated that the number of people with Alzheimer's disease will grow each year in proportion to the increasing population of people over the age of 65. Statistics show more women than men have dementia and women account for two-thirds of all Alzheimer cases. 2

Omega-3 Research on Dementia

In the past 30 years research on dementia has helped us to understand what it is, who is likely to be at risk and how it develops and affects brain functions. Several studies include the use of a combination of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA), two important omega-3 fatty acids, to improve brain function. Evidence from such research not only suggests benefits of omega-3 for depression, but scientists believe a regular intake of DHA and EPA may help to slow down the progression of dementia. In healthy people, omega-3 intake may provide proactive nutritional support to protect and promote healthy brain functions, thereby potentially slashing the risk of developing dementia.

A recent study published in the British Journal only serves to bolster the already existing body of evidence that proposes the benefits of omega-3 for depression, mood, behavior, cognitive and mental health. The six-month randomized controlled trial studied the effects of DHA and EPA on depressive symptoms, quality of life, memory and executive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. The study was conducted with 50 participants, less than 65 years of age. Daily, participants were given a DHA, EPA or the omega-6 linoleic acid (LA).

At the end of the study, both the EPA and the DHA group showed improved Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) scores. The improvements were observed to be more significant in the group that took the DHA-enriched supplement. Participants who were given enriched-DHA supplements were also observed to have self-reported improved physical health. Researchers also noted an increase in DHA and EPA benefited mental health in older people with mild cognitive impairment. It was suggested that increasing omega-3 intake may help to reduce depression, help slow down the progression of dementia and possibly lower the risk of dementia in healthy people. 3

Omega-3 for Dementia: How does it work?

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). PUFAs are integral membrane lipids. They help to maintain the structure and function of neuronal membranes, membrane associated proteins and protein complexes. Supplementing with omega-3s incorporates PUFA into neuronal membranes thus lowering the total cholesterol fraction. This leads to increased fluidity in the membrane which is important for promoting synaptic plasticity. Synaptic plasticity is considered to be essential for learning, memory and other complex cognitive processes. DHA levels in the hippocampus have been directly associated with dietary intake. Higher levels of DHA in this region of the brain have been shown to enhance hippocampal-dependent learning processes. 4

Other Health Benefits of Omega-3s

The evidence from research studies on omega-3 fatty acids appears to be most promising for reducing the risk of cardiovascular risk. But several more studies show omega-3 benefits for supporting the immune system, joint health, healthy glucose levels, eye health and skin health. 5-6 It is also needed for the healthy development of the fetus during pregnancy and also promotes immunity. 7-9

Omega-3 Supplement Manufacturing

Currently valued at $8 million by Packaged Foods, the omega-3 ingredient market is projected to grow 40 percent between 2010 and 2015. 10 Delivery of specific benefits of omega-3 for depression and mental health is possible only through pure-quality omega-3 supplements. Omega-3 benefits can be delivered from a variety of sources such as fish oil, krill oil or vegetarian sources, such as algae.

Nutricap Labs can help you formulate the ideal dosage of DHA and EPA to meet your customers' cognitive health needs. We can also help you design the perfect formula to deliver other well-known benefits of omega-3s to your customers.

For more information on our supplement manufacturering services, call (800) 494-6154 to speak with one of our knowledgeable product advisors or you may submit your request to receive a free quote from us in 48 hours or less.

References:

1. Dementia: Hope Through Research, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementias/detail_dementia.htm

2. Alzheimer's Association, 2011 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, Alzheimer's & Dementia, Volume 7, Issue 2. http://www.alz.org/downloads/Facts_Figures_2011.pdf

3. Effects of n-3 fatty acids, EPA v. DHA, on depressive symptoms, quality of life, memory and executive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a 6-month randomised controlled trial, British Journal of Nutrition. British Journal of Nutrition, FirstView Article, Copyright The Authors 2011, DOI: 10.1017/S0007114511004788 (About DOI), Published online: 20 September 2011.

4. Omega-3 fatty acids: potential role in the management of early Alzheimer's disease, Clin Interv Aging. 2010; 5: 45-61. Published online 2010 April 7. PMCID: PMC2854051. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2854051/

5. Omega-3 Supplements, National Institutes of Health http://nccam.nih.gov/health/omega3/introduction.htm#jump2

6. Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Fish Intake and Incident Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Women, Arch Ophthalmol. 2011;129(7):921-929. doi:10.1001/archophthalmol.2011.34.

7. Omega-3 dietary supplements and the risk of cardiovascular events: a systematic review. Clin Cardiol. 2009 Jul;32(7):365-72, PMID: 19609891. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19609891)

8. Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation During Pregnancy, Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Fall; 1(4): 162-169. PMCID: PMC2621042. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2621042/

9. Prenatal Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation and Infant Morbidity: Randomized Controlled Trial, Imhoff-Kunsch, et al. Pediatrics 2011; peds.2010-1386. pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/07/28/peds.2010-1386.abstract)

10. Omega-3 Foods and Beverages in the U.S, 3rd Edition, Packaged Facts Projects, June 1, 2011. http://www.packagedfacts.com/about/release.asp?id=2000