Fish oil and antioxidants help clear Alzheimer’s proteins in brains of people without the disease

Amyloid-β (Aβ) protein accumulates in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) because of defective Aβ phagocytosis by monocytes and macrophages. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, have been shown to partially recover Aβ phagocytosis in vitro. Now, research reveals that supplementation with omega-3 and antioxidants can have significant effects in patients with minor cognitive impairment (MCI).

Patients took a liquid supplement, containing docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, botanical antioxidants, vitamin D3 and resveratrol daily for 4–17 months. In patients with MCI and normal cognition – but not in those with AD – the supplement was associated with increased phagocytosis of Aβ by monocytes and increased macrophage levels of resolvin D1, which stimulates phagocytosis.

“Cognitive benefits of omega-3 supplementation in patients with MCI should be tested in a clinical trial,” the authors conclude in The FASEB Journal (2015;29:2681–2689).