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- New research casts doubt on the effectiveness of omega-3 supplements for improving memory and cognition.
- According to large-scale research reviews and clinical trials, taking omega-3 supplements does not appear to improve memory or overall cognition in most people.
- A large clinical trial involving around 4,000 older adults found that omega-3 supplements did not slow cognitive decline over five years.
- Researchers concluded that omega-3 supplementation did not provide a measurable benefit in preventing cognitive decline in the study group.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials also found little to no effect of long-chain omega-3 supplementation on cognitive outcomes.
- A two-year study found that omega-3 products do not improve brain health or slow cognitive decline.
- Researchers at the University of Southern California found that high doses of omega-3 fatty acids did not improve memory and cognitive function or prevent brain cell loss among older adults at high risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
- Millions of Americans spend more than $1 billion a year on over-the-counter fish oil and omega-3 supplements.
New research challenges the effectiveness of omega-3 supplements for cognitive health. Large-scale studies, including a clinical trial with around 4,000 older adults, found that these supplements do not slow cognitive decline over five years.13
Researchers concluded that omega-3 supplementation did not provide a measurable benefit in preventing cognitive decline in the study group.4
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials also found little to no effect of long-chain omega-3 supplementation on cognitive outcomes, including new cognitive impairment and neurocognitive decline.5
Despite omega-3s being essential for brain function, the findings suggest that the idea of a simple capsule improving memory is misleading.2
Researchers at the University of Southern California found that high doses of omega-3 fatty acids did not improve memory and cognitive function or prevent brain cell loss among older adults at high risk of developing Alzheimer’s.7
Our findings showed that fish oil supplements do not appear to protect brain health, contradicting the belief that they serve as a preventative measure against Alzheimer’s.
Millions of Americans, particularly those aged 60 and older, spend over $1 billion annually on these supplements, highlighting a significant gap between consumer belief and scientific evidence.8
The USC study, funded by the National Institute on Aging, involved 365 adults at risk for Alzheimer’s, ranging in age from 55 to 80.
“Recent studies indicate that omega-3 supplements do not improve memory or slow cognitive decline in older adults. Despite their essential role in brain function, the evidence suggests they may not be effective as a preventative measure against cognitive decline.”
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