Welma Stonehouse
Does Consumption of LC Omega-3 PUFA Enhance Cognitive Performance in Healthy School-Aged Children and throughout Adulthood? Evidence from Clinical Trials
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
longchain lc omega3 pufa derived marine sources may play important role cognitive performance throughout life stagesdocosahexaenoic acid dha dominant omega3 brain major component neuronal cell membranes affects various neurological pathways processessdespite critical role brain function humans capacity synthesize dha de novo limited consumption diet importanthowever many individuals rarely consume seafoodthe aim review critically evaluate current evidence randomised controlled trials rct healthy schoolaged children younger older adults determine whether consumption lc omega3 pufa improves cognitive performance make recommendations future researchcurrent evidence suggests consumption lc omega3 pufa particularly dha may enhance cognitive performance relating learning cognitive development memory speed performing cognitive tasksthose habitually consume diets low dha children low literacy ability malnourished older adults agerelated cognitive decline mild cognitive impairment seem benefit mosthowever study design limitations many rcts hamper firm conclusionsthe measurement uniform biomarker eg dha red blood cells essential establish baseline dhastatus determine targets cognitive performance facilitate dosage recommendationsit recommended future studies least 16 weeks duration account potential interaction effects gender age apolipoprotein e genotype include veganvegetarian populations include measures speed cognitive performance include brain imaging technologies supportive information working mechanisms lc omega3 pufa