The effects of multi-nutrient formulas containing a combination of n-3 PUFA and B vitamins on cognition in the older adult: a systematic review and meta-analysis
What this study found
Overall, n-3 PUFA plus B vitamin formulas were associated with modest cognitive benefits versus placebo, with the clearest effects in global cognition and episodic memory. Pooled effects were positive for composite neuropsychological test battery scores for global cognition (G = 0.23, 95 % CI 0.09, 0.37, P = 0.002, I 2 = 0 %) and for episodic memory (G = 0.32, 95 % CI 0.13, 0.51, P = 0.001, I 2 = 62 %). Global cognition on single measures also improved (G = 0.28, 95 % CI 0.09, 0.47, P = 0.004, I 2 = 56 %), whereas executive function was not significantly improved overall (G = 0.29, 95 % CI…
- Study & population
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of trials in older adults aged 60 years and older.
- Intervention
- Across randomized trials, the active regimens were oral multi-nutrient formulas centered on n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids plus B vitamins, compared with placebo.
- Key limitation
- The included trials used heterogeneous nutrient formulas, doses, and baseline cognitive populations, which limits direct comparability.
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Open PDFOriginal abstract
Abstract There is now evidence to suggest that there may be an interaction between B vitamins and n-3 PUFA, with suggestions that increasing intake of both nutrients simultaneously may benefit cognition in older adults. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate whether supplementation with a combination of n-3 PUFA and B vitamins can prevent cognitive decline in older adults. Randomised controlled trials conducted in older adults that measured cognitive function were retrieved. The included trials provided a combination of n-3 PUFA and B vitamins alone, or in combination with other nutrients. Trials that provided n-3 PUFA alone and also measured B vitamin status or provided B vitamin supplementation alone and measured n-3 PUFA status were also included. The databases searched were The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus and MEDLINE. A total of 14 papers were included in the analysis (n 4913; age: 60–70 years; follow-up 24 weeks to 4 years). The meta-analysis results found a significant benefit of nutrient formulas, which included both n-3 PUFA and B vitamins alongside other nutrients, v. placebo on global cognition assessed using composite scores from a neuropsychological test battery (G = 0·23, P = 0·002), global cognition using single measures of cognition (G = 0·28, P = 0·004) and episodic memory (G = 0·32, P = 0·001). The results indicate that providing a combination of n-3 PUFA and B vitamins as part of a multi-nutrient formula benefits cognition in older adults v. a placebo, and the potential for an interaction between these key nutrients should be considered in future experimental work.