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Previous research has suggested that problems in the vascular system, such as coronary artery disease, may contribute to the development of dementia. This may be due to the fact that the vascular system contains the heart and blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. According to a new study, supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may help improve brain function in people with coronary artery disease.
Participants in the study included 250 people with stable coronary artery disease who were cognitively healthy. Half of them took 3.36 g of EPA and DHA daily for 30 months. The other half took a placebo. Cognitive function was measured at baseline, 12 months, and 30 months.
Participants in the supplement group had significant improvements in visual-motor coordination, memory, and recall at 12 months and at the end of the study. The greatest benefits were seen in participants who were younger, nondiabetic, and with an omega-3 fatty acid index that was greater than 4%.
The study was conducted by researchers from Harvard Medical School. It was published online ahead of print on November 11, 2019 in the journalCirculation.