Alzheimer’s deterrent identified
Researchers from UCLA recently identified the mechanism by which fish oils act as a deterrent against Alzheimer’s disease, a disease that increasingly affects the elderly. This is an important discovery as the National Alzheimers Association predicts that our current level of affected individuals with Alzheimers will rise from the current 5.1 million Americans to between 11-16 million Americans by the year 2050.
Fish oils contain the essential fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and until recently we did not know how DHA delayed (or prevented) Alzheimers. It is now known that DHA increases the levels of a substance called LR11. Low levels of LR11 have been shown to an increased formation of amyloid plaques in the brain, which, in turn, have been associated with Alzheimers disease. Years of research have shown DHA to be the most abundant essential fatty acid in the brain and is critical to infant brain development.The next step? To determine what dosage is most effective.”
University of CA-Los Angeles (2008,Jan.2) Anti-Alzheimer’s Mechanism in Omega-3 Fatty Acids Found. ScienceDaily.
About the Author
Kathy Shattler received her Master of Science degree from Michigan State University in E. Lansing Michigan in Human Nutrition. Her twenty-two years of practice includes holding positions as a Lecturer, Chief Clinical Dietitian and Program Manager. Kathy is the Founder of Nutri-Care Consulting and is currently the Nutrition Director of www.CEU4U.COM, an online continuing education management company for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians.
