Lesser Cognitive Complaints with Aging after Age 64 with Higher Intakes of DHA/EPA Omega-3

This prospective population-based study from Paris, France involved 3,294 adults (both genders, average age 64 years). Initially, the subjects had dietary assessments to determine their intakes of fish/seafood as well as the corresponding long-chain omega-3 fatty acids . The subjects were followed for an average of 7.5 years (up to 13 years later). The assessment of cognitive functioning included the MMSE (French version) and a 5-word test for immediate and delayed verbal memory and recall. Further, they completed a self-reported questionnaire for memory complaints using McNair’s Cognitive Difficulties Scale.

Those in the top 25 % of the population with respect to dietary intakes of the total long-chain omega-3 fatty acids exhibited a 28-32 % less frequent complaints regarding cognitive difficulties as compared to those with the lower (bottom 25 %) omega-3 intakes. The former group also showed a poor score on the MMSE evaluation less frequently but this did not reach statistical significance. Those in the top 25 % for DHA and EPA intakes exhibited a 19-25 % less frequency in self-reported cognitive difficulties while a 26-31 % lesser frequency was apparent amongst those with the higher intakes of EPA. The authors concluded that cognitive complaints are less frequent among the elderly with higher intakes of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids as assessed up to 13 years earlier.