Omega 3 and Alzheimers

http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news...d-slows-alzhei
mers?ecd=wnl_hrt_050407

"April 18, 2007 -- Eating a diet rich in a certain type of omega-3 fatty
acid may slow or even prevent Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study
in mice.

Researchers found feeding mice bred to develop Alzheimer's disease a diet
rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) slowed the accumulation of two proteins
associated with the brain-clogging plaques and tangles implicated in the
disease.

Previous studies have suggested that DHA may be useful as a treatment for
Alzheimer's disease, but researchers say this study is among the first to
suggest that the omega-3 fatty acid might delay or prevent the development
of the disease later in life.

"We are greatly excited by these results, which show us that simple changes
in diet can positively alter the way the brain works and lead to protection
from Alzheimer's disease pathology," says researcher Frank LaFerla,
professor of neurobiology and behavior at the University of California,
Irvine, in a news release.

DHA is a type of omega-3 fatty acid found in fish, organ meats, eggs,
micro-algae, and supplements."

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"After three months, all of the mice on the DHA diets had lower levels of
beta-amyloid and tau proteins than those in the control group. But at nine
months, only those on the DHA-only diet had lower levels of both proteins.
Researchers say those results suggest that DHA works better on its own than
with omega-6 fatty acids. They say additional studies on DHA in humans are
now needed to assess how well the omega-3 fatty acid might work against
Alzheimer's disease."