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

What this study found

Five weeks of omega-3 supplementation improved cognitive performance versus placebo, with the clearest benefit in working memory. Working memory was significantly better after omega-3 at 60 min (p=0.04), and in the more demanding comparisons the differences were also significant (60 min p=0.013; 60+160 min p=0.015). Systolic blood pressure after 5 weeks differed from placebo (p=0.04), and triglycerides were also affected (p=0.05). The authors concluded that omega-3 PUFA may improve working memory and may help protect against metabolic risk-related cognitive decline; no major side effects…

Study & population

Randomized controlled cross-over study in healthy adults aged 51 to 72 years from southern Sweden.

Intervention

Participants consumed oral fish oil capsules for 5 weeks per period in a randomized cross-over design.

Key limitation

The intervention was short, with only 5-week treatment periods, and the sample was small.

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