Alzheimer's: Omega-3 Rich Drink Improves Symptoms and Fights Brain Atrophy

Alzheimer’s Disease: Omega-3 Rich Drink Improves Symptoms and Fights Brain Atrophy

Souvenaid, a drink containing high concentrations of DHA (1200 milligrams), EPA (300 milligrams), B vitamins, and other molecules, appears to improve the ability of patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s to perform daily activities. Sold in some Northern European countries, the product acts directly on the brain by counteracting atrophy, especially in the hippocampus region. These results were presented at the 14th International Symposium on Alzheimer’s “Athens/Springfield Symposium on Advances in Alzheimer Therapy,” held in Athens last March. The study was conducted by researchers from Saarland University (Germany) as part of a project called LipiDiDiet.

Nutrients and Proper Diets Counteract Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic and progressive condition affecting about 5% of the population over 65 years old. It is estimated that around 47 million people worldwide suffer from this disease; in Italy, 1 in 10 elderly people are affected. The most common and early symptom is memory loss, accompanied by difficulties in performing daily activities, language disorders, spatial and temporal disorientation, and personality changes. The symptoms are due to the presence of small plaques in the brain formed by a protein called Beta Amyloid and neurofibrillary tangles of another protein, hyperphosphorylated Tau protein.

Both proteins are produced by the brain itself, accumulate, and damage neurons until they destroy them. Currently, there is no cure for the disease, but specific drugs and a proper lifestyle can help prevent or slow its progression. It is now well established that nutrition plays a fundamental role in maintaining cognitive functions. Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, thanks to their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective action, help maintain brain functions.

DHA is recognized as one of the most important substances for the proper functioning of the nervous system, being the main lipid component of neuron membranes. While research on single nutrients has shown promising results, the most significant findings come from epidemiological studies that followed entire dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, which proved more effective in maintaining cognitive function than single substances.

A Multi-Nutrient Drink Protects the Brain from Atrophy

The goal of LipiDiDiet was to study the therapeutic impact of lipids, especially omega-3s, and other dietary factors on brain protection and cognitive performance during aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia. The clinical trial conducted by the German researchers lasted about two years and involved patients in the early stage of Alzheimer’s, prior to full dementia. During the study, each participant consumed Souvenaid daily, a drink produced by a well-known company, formulated with high doses of DHA and EPA (1200 and 300 milligrams, respectively) and other neuroprotective nutrients such as uridine monophosphate, choline, phospholipids, and B vitamins.

Results showed that this formulation improved patients’ ability to perform daily activities. Those who consumed the product had a larger hippocampus (the brain region involved in memory mechanisms) and reduced overall brain atrophy compared to those who did not receive it. They also performed better in spatial orientation tests. According to Tobias Hartmann, the neurologist who led the study, these effects are very encouraging, although the primary goal—to influence global cognitive function—did not yield significant results.

The importance of this work lies in its positive impact on patients in the early stage of the disease, a stage for which limited information is available and no effective pharmacological treatments exist.

Some Details of the Souvenaid Study

The research involved 321 subjects from various European countries with pre-dementia Alzheimer’s, diagnosed through the determination of specific molecules and behavioral assessment. Patients were randomly divided into two groups and blindly followed two different treatments: one group consumed 125 ml of the drink daily, while the other received a placebo formulated without nutrients but with the same taste, appearance, and calories as Souvenaid. The study’s outcome was measured through specific tests evaluating global cognitive decline and mainly memory effects. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (the substance surrounding and protecting the brain) were also analyzed for each subject.

The Synergistic Effect of the Various Components Underlying the Observed Progress

Data from this study demonstrated that the neuroprotective potential of individual nutrients can be significantly enhanced when combined with other substances, primarily acting on neuron membranes. According to the researchers, the various nutrients act via different biological pathways contributing to the overall effect. These actions include increasing the number of connections between neurons, neurotransmitter transmission, protecting neurons by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, defending endothelial cells and the blood-brain barrier surrounding the brain, and finally reducing Beta Amyloid protein.

The benefits, mechanisms of action, and safety of this treatment make this combination of molecules and nutrients of particular interest for early treatment of Alzheimer’s, although further studies on the product’s action are planned. As mentioned earlier, Souvenaid contains a high concentration of omega-3: 1200 mg of DHA and 300 mg of EPA. These amounts can also be obtained by supplementing with VitaDHA liquid; one vial of this product contains 1450 mg of DHA and 330 mg of EPA. To stay updated on the latest scientific news on Omega-3, subscribe to our newsletter.

Source: Tobias Hartmann et al., “Advances in Alzheimer’s Therapy (AAT) congress, Athens, Greece; March 9-12, 2016.”