Chinese military study suggests omega-3 supplements could hurt the brain

Army Medical University researchers issue grim warning after findings show high doses of fish oil tablets may accelerate Alzheimer’s decline

Oral fish oil intake may not improve and could even speed up cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease, a research team from China’s Army Medical University has found.

Many older adults are accustomed to taking omega-3 supplements to help protect cognitive function.

However, findings from the Chinese study challenge this view. The study was based on an analysis of more than 800 older adults in North America, around half of whom carry the dementia-risk gene APOEε4.

The data showed that those taking omega-3 supplements experienced a significantly faster decline in cognitive abilities than those who did not.

The findings of the study went online in April and will be published in the June edition of The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease.

“These findings challenge the prevailing view of omega-3 as uniformly beneficial and highlight the need for a cautious reassessment of its widespread use for cognitive protection,” the researchers wrote.