A recent article at Forbes.com (no longer available online, but read the study here) found that fish oil prevented the build-up of amyloid protein in the brains of rats genetically-engineered to develop Alzheimer’s Disease. Apparently this amyloid protein is present in large amounts in people with Alzheimers, but mice fed high amounts of DHA (Docosahexaeonic Acid, one of the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil) developed 70% less of it. What’s more amazing is that it helped them even later in life:

“The protein is markedly reduced even when we start the diet late in life,” Cole said. “To come in and intervene late, and see a 50 percent or more reduction [in plaque] is remarkable,” he added.

So even older people can start now taking high dose fish oil. This reminded me of something Dr. Barry Sears (a leading authority on omega-3 fish oil) said. He spoke about how he himself has been involved in several case studies where mild to moderate Alzheimer’s had actually been reversed! He said he was going to be testing this in a clinical study soon.

So what does the senior author of this study say to do?

Based on the study results, Cole said, it makes sense to increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids. He pointed out that eggs are now supplemented with DHA, and it is also available in fish oil capsules.

Right, take fish oil supplements. But since it requires a high dosage, you should definitely consider a pharmaceutical grade fish oil — preferably one that’s been tested by the IFOS program — to be certain that you’re getting a quality, concentrated product that’s free from toxins!