Medical journals continue to highlight the diverse benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Recently, a study found that daily intake of 1,440 mg of the omega-3 fatty acid EPA and 960 mg of the omega-3 DHA improved the symptoms of dry eye among frequent users of visual display terminals, particularly in those with low blood levels of omega-3s. Another article reported that an omega-3-rich diet helped lower the risk of cognitive decline, and omega-3 intake lowered the risk of the development of Alzheimer’s disease.  

The first study, published earlier this month in Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, evaluated the eye health of 950 screen users who received eight capsules containing 180 mg EPA plus 120 mg DHA or an olive oil placebo daily for six months. Researchers assessed dry eye symptoms at the beginning of the study and then again after one, three and six months, and found that the group receiving omega-3 capsules had improvements in these symptoms, while the participants who received a placebo did not experience significant improvement.¹

Meanwhile, the second study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that long-term users of omega-3 fatty acid had a 64 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to nonusers. In subgroup analyses, this protection was significant for men, individuals aged 65 years and older, carriers of the APOE4 mutation (which increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease) and those with mild cognitive impairment.²

The researchers found that multiple measures of omega-3 status support a significant effect of omega-3s for preventing cognitive decline and dementia.  

“Our findings suggest that 1) long-term omega-3 fatty acid [intake] may reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease; 2) dietary omega-3 fatty acid intake, especially DHA, may lower risk of dementia or cognitive decline; and 3) peripheral biomarkers of omega-3 fatty acids may serve as predictors of cognitive decline,” the authors concluded.