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Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements and cognitive decline: Singapore longitudinal aging studies

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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objective

To determine the association between long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) supplements intake and cognitive decline in an older Chinese population.

Design

Prospective cohort study. Setting: The Singapore Longitudinal Aging Studies (SLAS), a community-based study in urban region of Singapore. Participants: 1,475 Chinese adults aged ≥55 years.

Measurement

Omega-3 PUFA supplements intake and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were assessed at baseline. MMSE was reassessed at a median of 1.5 years after baseline and cognitive decline was defined as at least 2-points drop in MMSE score from baseline to follow-up. Odds ratios (ORs) of association between n-3 PUFA supplements intake and cognitive decline were calculated in logistic regression models controlling for baseline confounding variables.

Results

Daily n-3 PUFA supplements intake was significantly (p=0.024) associated with lower risk of cognitive decline (OR=0.37, 95% C.I. 0.16–0.87) after controlling for age, gender, education, number of medical comorbidity, the presence of vascular risk factors/diseases, smoking, alcohol drinking, depression, APOE e4 allele carrier status, nutritional status, level of leisure activities, baseline MMSE and length of follow-up. The association remained significant (p=0.015) after excluding participants with baseline cognitive impairment (MMSE<24), diabetes, stroke, and cardiac diseases (OR=0.23, 95% C.I. 0.07–0.75). No statistically significant association (OR=1.02, 95% C.I. 0.81–1.27) of fish consumption with cognitive decline was found.

Conclusion

Daily n-3 PUFA supplements consumption was independently associated with less cognitive decline in elderly Chinese.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gerontological Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    Q. Gao, M. Niti, L. Feng, K. B. Yap & Tze Pin Ng

  2. Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    Q. Gao, M. Niti, L. Feng & Tze Pin Ng

  3. Geriatric Medicine Department, Alexandra Hospital, Singapore, Singapore

    K. B. Yap

  4. Gerontological Reasearch Programme, National University of Singapore, Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119228, Singapore

    Tze Pin Ng

Authors
  1. Q. Gao
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  2. M. Niti
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  3. L. Feng
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  4. K. B. Yap
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  5. Tze Pin Ng
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tze Pin Ng.

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Gao, Q., Niti, M., Feng, L. et al. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements and cognitive decline: Singapore longitudinal aging studies. J Nutr Health Aging 15, 32–35 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-011-0010-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-011-0010-z

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