Fish oil is a substance that contains certain nutrients that are believed to help a number of conditions, including Alzheimer’s and dementia. These two conditions are characterized by memory loss and erratic behavior. As they progress, those symptoms worsen and often interfere with daily functioning. People with Alzheimer’s and dementia often require a caretaker or need to reside at nursing homes, because as the conditions become more severe they can interfere with the health and safety of the afflicted person and those around them. Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can be difficult sometimes, because the symptoms could easily be signs of other issues.
Alzheimer’s and dementia are considered to be two separate issues, but they are linked. The main cause of Alzheimer’s disease is the build-up of plaque on the brain. Doctors are not sure why this happens, but heredity and environmental risk factors can contribute to the onset of Alzheimer’s. Diet and age are also risk factors. People over the age of 65 are more at risk for developing Alzheimer’s and dementia. Eating a balanced diet, exercising, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can go a long way in preventing Alzheimer’s, and also slowing down the process of plaque build-up. Taking fish oil has also been known to help. Fish oil contains a few substances, most notably an Omega-3 fatty acid called DHA. This acid is essential to human life and good health. DHA can actually destroy the protein that causes the plaque build-up in the brain. DHA is found in fatty fish, such as tuna and salmon. That is because they eat certain fish, like herring or sardines. These fish do not actually produce the DHA; it is the algae that they consume that produce it. It is then secreted into the fish oil. Fish oil is also known to support cardiovascular health. According to the United States National Institutes of Health, extensive research is being done on the benefits of fish oil.
