No effect of 12 weeks' supplementation with 1 g DHA-rich or EPA-rich fish oil on cognitive function or mood in healthy young adults aged 18-35 years

Jackson, Philippa, Deary, Michael, Reay, Jonathon, Scholey, Andrew and Kennedy, David (2012) No effect of 12 weeks' supplementation with 1 g DHA-rich or EPA-rich fish oil on cognitive function or mood in healthy young adults aged 18-35 years. British Journal of Nutrition, 107 (8). pp. 1232-1243. ISSN 1475-2662

[img]
Preview
PDF (Article)
S000711451100403Xa.pdf - Published Version

Download (158kB) | Preview
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S000711451100403X

Abstract

The n-3 PUFA are a unique class of fatty acids that cannot be manufactured by the body, and must be acquired via dietary sources. In the UK, as well as in other Western nations, these 'essential' fatty acids are consumed in quantities that fall below government guidelines. The present study explored the effects of 12 weeks' dietary supplementation with 1 g/d of two types of fish oil (FO; DHA-rich and EPA-rich) in 159 healthy young adults aged 18-35 years. An assessment of performance on a battery of computerised cognitive tasks and mood measures took place before and following the 12-week treatment regimen. Venous blood samples were also supplied by participants at both time points which were later analysed for serum fatty acid concentrations. Despite good adherence to the study protocol - as reflected in increased concentrations of n-3 serum fatty acids - compared with placebo, the observed effects of both active treatments were minimal. The only finding of note revealed that supplementation with EPA-rich FO may reduce subjective mental fatigue at times of high cognitive demand, although further investigation is required. These findings, taken together with other recent reports of null effects, suggest that dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFA in healthy, normally developing and impairment-free populations is unlikely to result in cognitive enhancement.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Fish oil, n-3 PUFA, cognitive function
Subjects: B900 Others in Subjects allied to Medicine
C800 Psychology
Department: Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Psychology
Depositing User: Ay Okpokam
Date Deposited: 19 Dec 2011 12:02
Last Modified: 17 Dec 2023 12:33
URI: https://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/4237

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics