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Omega‐3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Effects on Weight and Appetite in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: The Omega‐3 Alzheimer's Disease Study
Author(s) -
Faxén Irving Gerd,
FreundLevi Yvonne,
EriksdotterJönhagen Maria,
Basun Hans,
Brismar Kerstin,
Hjorth Erik,
Palmblad Jan,
Vessby Bengt,
Vedin Inger,
Wahlund LarsOlof,
Cederholm Tommy
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.02055.x
Subject(s) - medicine , docosahexaenoic acid , eicosapentaenoic acid , placebo , gastroenterology , omega 3 fatty acid , body mass index , appetite , linoleic acid , endocrinology , fatty acid , polyunsaturated fatty acid , biochemistry , pathology , biology , alternative medicine
OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of omega (Ω)‐3 fatty acid (FA) supplements on weight and appetite in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) in relation to inflammatory biomarkers and apolipoprotein E ɛ4 ( APOE ɛ4). DESIGN: Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. SETTING: Specialist memory clinics in the Stockholm catchment area. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred four patients (aged 73±9, 52% women) with mild to moderate AD. INTERVENTION: Patients with AD received 1.7 g of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 0.6 g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (Ω‐3/Ω‐3 group; n=89, aged 73±9, 57% women) or placebo 0.6 g of linoleic acid per day (placebo/Ω‐3 group; n=85, aged 73±9, 46% women) for 6 months. After 6 months, all patients received DHA and EPA for another 6 months. MEASUREMENTS: Anthropometry, biochemical nutritional and inflammatory markers, and appetite assessed by caregiver. RESULTS: Mean weight and body mass index (kg/m 2 ) at baseline were 70.0±11.8 kg and 24.3±3.0 kg/m 2 , respectively. At 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up, weight had increased 0.7±2.5 kg ( P =.02) and 1.4±2.9 kg ( P <.001) in the Ω‐3/Ω‐3 group. In the placebo group, weight was unchanged at 6 months but had increased ( P =.01) at 12 months follow‐up after Ω‐3 supplementation was initiated. Appetite improved in the Ω‐3/Ω‐3 group over the treatment period ( P =.01). In logistic regression analyses, not carrying the APOE ɛ4 allele and high plasma DHA concentrations were independently related to weight gain in the combined group of patients at 6 months follow‐up. CONCLUSION: A DHA‐enriched Ω‐3 FA supplement may positively affect weight and appetite in patients with mild to moderate AD. Not carrying the APOE ɛ4 allele and high DHA were independently associated with weight gain.