Long-Term Supplementation With Omega-3 And Alzheimer's

[tex]

Hi All,

Here's a new research article that offers some evidence to support Stephanie Seneff's claim that Alzheimer's disease is a result of insufficient fatty acids/cholesterol in the brain. This is based on animal studies, because apparently no one has ever done similar studies on humans, but it should be valid for humans as well.

This doesn't really prove anything, of course, but it suggests that it probably behooves us to maintain a decent level of omega-3 fatty acids in our body, at all times, as insurance against Alzheimer's disease.

Therefore, we performed a systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis of the literature that focused on effects of the relatively long-term omega-3 FA supplementation (minimum period; 10% of average total lifespan) on cognitive impairment, amyloid-β pathology, and neuronal loss in animal models of AD. This SR shows that long-term omega-3 FA supplementation decreased the omega-6/omega-3 FA ratio and reduced the amount of amyloid-β in experimental animal models of AD. Omega-3 FA supplementation also improved cognitive function; this effect appeared larger in rats compared to mice, and in males compared to females. Moreover, omega-3 FA supplementation diminished the amount of neuronal loss, especially in female animals. The results of this SR indicate that it might be worthwhile to perform new clinical trials with long-term omega-3 FA supplementation in AD patients.

http://iospress.metapress.com/content/lvn663216uj58634/

Tex

[Gloria]

I've just purchased flax seed oil, as you have suggested, which is high in omega 3. The directions say to take 1 teaspoon twice a day, preferably with meals. I didn't buy the capsules because I react so easily and didn't want to take a chance. Do you use capsules or the liquid? If liquid, do I mix it with something, or just take it plain, off the teaspoon?

Gloria

[sarkin]

Thanks for this, Tex - it seems there are multiple benefits to fish-oil supplementation. For me, reducing inflammatory foods, and increasing healthy sources of fat, has made me hopeful about my old age. It's kind of ironic that running smack into the autoimmune, chronic, inflammatory wall that is MC has made me *more* optimistic about the future.

I have occasionally used this site to http://nutritiondata.self.com/ figure out how I'm doing nutritionally, and if there's anything I'm missing (or consuming in unhealthy excess). One feature of this site is that it notes how inflammatory each food is. Salmon oil is *off the charts* anti-inflammatory, while grains/flous shop up on the inflammatory side. (I don't know that their methods of measuring are optimal, but it's interesting and maybe an additional useful tool in the kit.)

I know not everyone's inclined toward the Paleo line of thought, but I find eating along those lines makes it easy to eat "anti-inflammatory" (without doing any fancy calculations).

Good reminder to take my fish oil with lunch!

Thanks again,
Love,
Sara

[tex]

Gloria,

I do continue to avoid soy, except in trace amounts, but I tested negative to soy at Enterolab, (and I don't seem to react to it), so I don't worry about capsules, or trace amounts in supplements.

I take a 1,200mg capsule of flax seed oil and a 1,200mg capsule of fish oil, every morning, as soon as I finish breakfast. In fact, that's when I take all my vitamins, (Metanx, Centrum Silver, 400mg of magnesium, 5,000 IU D3, either 20 or 40mg of Lutein, 1,500mg of glucosamine, 1,200mg of condroitin, and 100mg of co-enzyme Q10, (to try to undo any damage that taking Simvastatin for 9 months might have done). I chew an Armour tablet right before breakfast. Yep, I've turned into a pill junkie, during the past few years.

I have no idea what flax seed oil tastes like, but if it's unpleasant, I remember some members mentioning that they put flax seed in smoothies, so that would surely work for the oil as well. I see no reason why it couldn't be "hidden" in other foods, (or maybe drinks), also.

Tex

[Gloria]

Hmm. I don't drink anything but water, but perhaps I could add it to pudding or even drink some almond milk with it twice a day. I'll try it and let you know if it has a taste.

I remember that my in-laws used to take cod liver oil for a time. It seems that my mother used to give it to us occasionally, too. If we could tolerate that taste, surely flax oil is better.

Gloria

[sarkin]

Gloria,

I recommend starting small with the flax oil. We ran out of fish oil, and my husband subbed flax oil in the same amount, and it didn't agree with me. Though I had worked my way up to a pretty good amount of fish oil per serving, I would have needed to start over with very small amounts of flax oil to be able to tolerate it in the same way. It does have a faint taste - nothing too ferocious.

I'm sure you already thought of that!

Sara

[Gloria]

Thanks for the tip, Sara. I'll start slowly and if it agrees with me, slowly increase my dosage.

Gloria

[garina]

I had always taken 1T. Flaxseed Meal mixed with 1/2 cup of Mott's Light Apple Juice along with Life's Basics Unsweetened Plant Protein powder, all in a tall glass filled with water, which starts my day. It is not too terribly tasting, however, I did have to stop the Flaxseed Meal due to MC and because of the fiber.

I had tried the Flax oil originally and could not tolerate it, so if you find the taste too strong, Flaxseed Meal may be an option.

garina

[Gloria]

I tried 1/4 tsp. of the oil tonight. We'll see if my symptoms deteriorate tomorrow. I was up at 1 a.m. last night with fire hose D. I have no idea why. Today things are better.

Gloria

[Lesley]

*take a 1,200mg capsule of flax seed oil and a 1,200mg capsule of fish oil, every morning, as soon as I finish breakfast. In fact, that's when I take all my vitamins, (Metanx, Centrum Silver, 400mg of magnesium, 5,000 IU D3, either 20 or 40mg of Lutein, 1,500mg of glucosamine, 1,200mg of condroitin, and 100mg of co-enzyme Q10, (to try to undo any damage that taking Simvastatin for 9 months might have done). I chew an Armour tablet right before breakfast. Yep, I've turned into a pill junkie, during the past few years. sigh*

I wish I were that kind of pill junkie!

I am afraid to take any more because of this ungovernable GERD. NOTHING is helping it right now. Last night I was ready to jump off the roof. It's SO bad. Even though I FINALLY forced a BM this am (not Norman, but partially slippery and mucous-y)it's not any better. I was hoping for an improvement.

What of those is important for me?

[tex]

Lesley,

I take more than normal amounts, in some cases, because my terminal ileum is missing, and things such as B-12, and fatty acids are absorbed in the terminal ileum. Taking this much stuff while trying to stop a flare would probably be asking for trouble. I've been in remission for 7 years, now.

If I were in your shoes, I would seriously consider a safe form of vitamin D, and maybe B-12. The rest can probably wait. Some of what I take has nothing to do with MC, anyway. The lutein, for example, is for my eyes - I have had drusen for 20 or 30 years. The glucosamine and condroitin, of course, are for repair and preservation of cartilage and sinovial tissue in major joints, (mostly knee and hip joints), because of some of the work that I do.

That list doesn't include the Plavix, lisinopril, and metoprolol that I take for the reduction of stroke risk.

Tex

[Lesley]

OK, thanks Tex. I am taking B-12, vit D3 liquid, and folic acid.

I take lisonopril (or something like) and metoprolol, but have stopped statins.

Right now the GERD pain (not sure it's all GERD) is scaring me stupid. I want to go to the pool but an in so much pain I am virtually grounded. Tired of this.

[Gloria]

Well...I took 1/4 tsp. flax oil Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning. I had constant D and gas the next two days. I didn't take any Thursday and today I'm doing much better. It looks like flax oil is out for me.

Gloria

[draperygoddess]

Oh, my gosh, Tex, I could NEVER get down that much medicine at once! Even one sudafed turns my stomach.

[tex]

Gloria,

That's a heck of a note, but it doesn't leave much room for doubt.


Cynthia,

It always amazes me too, that I can get away with it, but I've never had any symptoms that suggest any problems with it.

Tex