A High Omega-3 Fatty Acid Multinutrient Supplement Benefits Cognition and Mobility in Older Women: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Pilot Study
Gerontological Society of America
Siobhan C. Strike,1 Alison Carlisle,1 E. Leigh Gibson,2 and Simon C. Dyall1,3
’Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, London. department of Psychology, University of Roehampton, London. 3Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University.
Address correspondence to Simon C. Dyall, PhD, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, Royal London House, Bournemouth, BN1 3LT, UK. Email: sdyall at bournemouth.ac.uk
Background. Mobility is a key determinant of frailty in older persons, and a variety of dietary factors, such as the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are positively associated with decreased frailty and improved mobility and cognition in older persons.
Methods. The effects of a multinutrient supplement on mobility and cognition were assessed in postmenopausal women (60-84 years). Participants received either Efalex Active 50+ (
- 1 g DHA,
- 160 mg eicosapentaenoic acid,
- 240 mg Ginkgo biloba,
- 60 mg phosphatidylserine,
- 20 mg d-a tocopherol,
- 1 mg folic acid, and
- 20 ug vitamin B12
per day; N = 15) or placebo (N = 12) for 6 months. Mobility was assessed by VICON 9 motion capture camera system synchronized with Kistler force plates, cognitive performance by computerized cognitive function tests, and blood fatty acid levels by pin-prick analysis.
Results. Significant effects of treatment were seen in two of the four cognitive tests, with shorter mean latencies in a motor screening task (p < .05) and more words remembered (p < .03), and one of the three primary mobility measures with improved habitual walking speed (p < .05). Compared with the placebo group, supplementation also resulted in significantly higher blood DHA levels (p < .02).
Conclusions. In this pilot study, multinutrient supplementation improved cognition and mobility in able older females at clinically relevant levels, suggesting a potential role in reducing the decline to frailty.
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