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

Abstract

BackgroundHigher plasma n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been associated with a lower risk of age related cognitive decline, and to beneficially affect cardiometabolic risk factors. A relation exists between metabolic disorders such as diabetes type 2 and cognitive decline. Results regarding the potential effects of n-3 PUFA on risk factors in healthy subjects are divergent, and studies regarding the possible relation between cardiometabolic parameters and cognitive performance are scarce. The objective was to evaluate the effects of five weeks intake of long chain n-3 PUFA on cognitive performance in healthy individuals, and to exploit the possible relation between outcomes in cognitive tests to cardiometabolic risk parameters.MethodsFish oil n-3 PUFA (3g daily) were consumed during 5weeks separated by a 5 week washout period in a cross-over placebo controlled study, including 40 healthy middle aged to elderly subjects. Cognitive performance was determined by tests measuring working memory (WM) and selective attention.ResultsSupplementation with n-3 PUFA resulted in better performance in the WM-test compared with placebo (p < 0.05). In contrast to placebo, n-3 PUFA lowered plasma triacylglycerides (P < 0.05) and systolic blood pressure (p < 0.0001). Systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05), f-glucose (p = 0.05), and s-TNF-α (p = 0.05), were inversely related to the performance in cognitive tests.ConclusionsIntake of n-3 PUFA improved cognitive performance in healthy subjects after five weeks compared with placebo. In addition, inverse relations were obtained between cardiometabolic risk factors and cognitive performance, indicating a potential of dietary prevention strategies to delay onset of metabolic disorders and associated cognitive decline.

A diet based on multiple functional concepts improves cognitive performance in healthy subjects

“…Based on this power calculation it was decided to include 44 subjects. This is close to the number of subjects (40 subjects) that have been included in previous meal studies and interventions, using a corresponding SA-test [21,34]. The results are expressed as means ± SEM.…”

“…b) fatty fish (contain long chain n-3 PUFA, known to have anti-inflammatory and triglyceride-lowering properties [32,33], and are suggested to improve working memory capacity [34]). Rapeseed oil was included to provide additional n-3-PUFA.…”

Nutrition and Cognition in Older Adults With Heart Failure: A Systematic Review

“…One reason for this inconsistency may be related to the fact that Garcia et al (2014) did not differentiate between categories of dairy products and thus the types of fats they predominately contain were not adequately controlled for in analysis. Although higher intake of saturated and trans fat is associated with worse cognitive impairment (Devore et al, 2009), higher intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is associated with improved cognitive measures (Nilsson, Radeborg, Salo, & Bjorck, 2012). It is possible that participants in the study by Garcia et al (2014) consumed dairy products high in saturated and trans fat, hence the decrements in cognition.…”

The Partial Replacement of Lard by Caryocar brasiliense Oil in a Western Diet improves Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Rats

“…It has been postulated that western diets, high in fats and sucrose, lead in rodents, to metabolic disturbances, higher body weight and fat, similarly to humans [28]. Intermittent intake of high glycemic meals in humans also leads to hormonal changes related to obesity and others CMD [29].…”