Alzheimer's: Omega-3s Stimulate Elimination of Harmful Molecules from the Brain

Alzheimer’s Disease: Omega-3 Help Remove Harmful Molecules from the Brain

The omega-3 in fish oil can improve the function of the glymphatic system, a structure similar to the lymphatic system that drains waste from the brain, promoting the elimination of molecules involved in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, including beta-amyloid protein. This discovery adds to numerous studies showing the role of omega-3 in counteracting the disease and maintaining brain health through various molecular mechanisms.

The new research, published in The FASEB Journal, was conducted by researchers at the University of Macau, China.

Alzheimer’s Disease: The Leading Cause of Senile Dementia in the West

Alzheimer’s is a chronic, progressive degenerative brain disease characterized by widespread atrophy of nervous tissue, causing decline in all intellectual functions. It is the most common cause of dementia among the elderly in Western countries. 

It is estimated that 36 million people worldwide suffer from the disease, including 6 million in Europe and 1 million in Italy. Neuropathologically, the brains of Alzheimer’s patients are characterized by plaques formed by the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein and by tangles of another protein called Tau. 

The presence of Tau and beta-amyloid structures is believed to cause the degenerative process. These proteins accumulate due to defective metabolic processes in the brain, where they deposit and cause nerve cell death. Beta-amyloid protein accumulates between nerve cells forming plaques and on vascular walls, worsening their permeability. This results in impaired transport of oxygen and nutrients to the brain. 

Tau protein deposits inside nerve cells, forming neurofibrillary tangles. These phenomena cause an active inflammatory response and extensive neuronal damage, leading to reduced brain volume and impaired neurotransmitter activity. 

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by neuronal death associated with progressive memory deterioration and other symptoms such as difficulty performing daily activities, language disorders, spatial and temporal disorientation, and personality changes. Although incurable, a healthy lifestyle and diet can prevent or slow its progression. 

Several studies suggest that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and some oilseeds, along with fruits and vegetables, helps prevent mild cognitive impairment that often precedes Alzheimer’s.

New Study Shows Omega-3 Stimulate Beta-Amyloid Clearance from the Brain

In the recent Chinese study, scientists investigated the role of omega-3 on the glymphatic system, which drains waste from the brain and functions similarly to the lymphatic system but is regulated by glial brain cells. The brain cannot use the lymphatic system like the rest of the body due to the blood-brain barrier, the structure between blood and nervous tissue that isolates the brain. 

The study on laboratory mice showed that supplementation with fish oil rich in omega-3 improves glymphatic function, facilitating removal of beta-amyloid protein from the brain’s intercellular space and limiting plaque-induced damage. As explained by Thoru Pederson, editor-in-chief of The FASEB Journal, this study highlights a new capability of omega-3 fatty acids: beyond maintaining vascular health, omega-3s may have direct effects on neurons and other brain cells.

Study Details

To reach these findings, scientists studied transgenic laboratory mice expressing high levels of omega-3 in the brain, showing improved glymphatic function and greater beta-amyloid clearance compared to normal mice. 

When normal mice were given oral omega-3 supplements, researchers found that their ability to remove harmful molecules via the glymphatic system increased, which responded to omega-3 by stimulating extracellular beta-amyloid removal.

Omega-3’s Protective Action Against Alzheimer’s Is Based on Multiple Mechanisms

This study demonstrated a new mechanism by which omega-3s exert protective roles against Alzheimer’s. Other confirmed strategies include several molecular pathways studied in recent years. 

Important discoveries by researchers at the Karolinska Institute (Sweden) showed that omega-3s can cross the blood-brain barrier and alter neuronal fatty acid composition. The same study indicated that EPA and DHA supplements influence levels of harmful substances in Alzheimer’s patients’ brains, positively affecting neurodegenerative processes. 

A subsequent, more complex study demonstrated that a beverage formulated with high doses of DHA, EPA, and neuroprotective nutrients such as B vitamins, administered to Alzheimer’s patients, was associated with improved ability to perform daily activities and better spatial orientation. 

Most mechanisms by which omega-3s affect Alzheimer’s symptoms remain to be explored but are likely related to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. DHA, the most abundant omega-3 in neuronal membranes, can counter oxidative damage in early disease stages leading to neuron loss, while some omega-3-derived molecules may prevent and reverse Alzheimer’s progression by promoting inflammation resolution and beta-amyloid protein clearance. 

Besides DHA, clinical studies show EPA plays a role in brain physiology by increasing cerebral blood flow, impacting cognition and behavior. Various research paths are ongoing to develop strategies to improve brain function and delay or prevent Alzheimer’s onset by leveraging omega-3’s protective effects on brain structure and function.

Increase DHA Intake with Omegor Supplements

Consuming DHA is therefore essential for brain health. In this regard, Omegor supplements can help achieve adequate intake and protect brain health and more. 

Omegor Vita DHA 1000 is a dietary supplement with a high DHA content, with each capsule containing 470 mg of DHA and 100 mg of EPA, contributing to the maintenance of normal brain and visual function.

Source: Huixia Ren, Chuanming Luo, Yanqing Feng, Xiaoli Yao, Zhe Shi, Fengyin Liang, Jing X. Kang, Jian-Bo Wan, Zhong Pei and Huanxing Su. (2016). “Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids promote amyloid-β clearance from the brain through mediating the function of the glymphatic system”.