Omega-3 and vitamin D preserved memory in AD, reduced depression
In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), memory continually deteriorates. In the first phase of this study, 33 people with mild to moderate AD took 2,300 mg of omega-3 fish oil per day, or did not take omega-3 supplements. Doctors tested memory at the start of the study, and again at the end.
After three months, memory function remained stable in those with mild AD who had taken omega-3, while declining in those who had not taken the fish oil supplement. Participants then switched, with the non-supplement group beginning to take omega-3 and the other group stopping the supplement. After the following three months, memory function remained stable in those with mild AD who had begun taking omega-3 in the second phase.
Omega-3, vitamin D, and depression
In this study, 168 pre-diabetic women of childbearing age, who were also low in vitamin D, took a placebo; 50,000 IU of vitamin D every two weeks; 2,000 mg of omega-3 fish oil per day; or vitamin D and omega-3 together.
After eight weeks, symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality had all deteriorated for placebo while improving for all three supplement groups. Those taking omega-3 together with vitamin D saw the greatest improvement in these symptoms, and had the largest increase in circulating levels of vitamin D. Doctors said omega-3 with vitamin D improved mental health and sleep quality in pre-diabetic women of childbearing age who were low in vitamin D.