New research published in The FASEB Journal provides more evidence that fish oil supplementation and an additional benefit for Alzheimer’s disease by improving the function of the glymphatic system. This system is responsible for clearing waste from the brain and metabolites such as amyloid-β peptides.
In this study researchers found fish oil supplementation significantly promotes the clearance function of the lymphatic system and Aβ clearance from the brain. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids help maintain the brain homeostasis which essential for neurological diseases, traumatic brain injury, and sleep disturbances.
There was another study published in July 2015 in The FASEB Journal where researchers saw a clearance of amyloid-beta protein and reduced inflammation in the neurological tissues with fish oil supplementation.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also essential nutrients involved in numerous metabolic processes that play a significant role in cognitive health. There was an interesting study published in January in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in which researchers found a link between Omega-3 levels, homocysteine, and brain atrophy rates. Homocysteine plays a role in regulating phospholipid metabolism and omega-3 distribution by the methionine cycle. As a result, B vitamins are essential for the synthesis of phospholipids. This study demonstrated when omega-3 levels are in an upper normal range, B vitamins slow cognitive decline and brain atrophy.
In addition to omega-3 fatty acids there are also several nutrients to consider. A study published last September in the journal, Neurology, demonstrated that resveratrol stabilized amyloid-beta40 (Abeta40) in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. This biomarker declines when the disease progresses.
Another study published last year in JAMA Neurology demonstrated a significant association between vitamin D insufficiency and cognitive decline specifically seen Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
In addition, studies have also demonstrated low levels of magnesium in the brains of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Magnesium L-threonate is a unique patented form of magnesium that has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier and increase learning ability, working memory, as well as short- and long-term memory.
Glutathione is also essential for neurodegenerative disease which I highlighted last week and its importance in the aging. This powerful antioxidant has been found to be depleted in the brain of neurodegenerative disorders. The extent of glutathione depletion appears to mirror the severity of the disease and is the earliest known indicator of degeneration. The brain has difficulty handling significant amounts of oxidative stress due to the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids and low levels of antioxidants such as glutathione. In conclusion, providing antioxidant support with NAC or glutathione can also provide a beneficial effect in all neurodegenerative disorders.
By Michael Jurgelewicz, DC, DACBN, DCBCN, CNS
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