A High Omega-3 Fatty Acid Multinutrient Supplement Benefits Cognition and Mobility in Older Women: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Pilot Study

TY - JOUR

T1 - A High Omega-3 Fatty Acid Multinutrient Supplement Benefits Cognition and Mobility in Older Women

T2 - A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Pilot Study

AU - Gibson, E Leigh

AU - Strike, Siobhán C

AU - Carlisle, Alison

AU - Dyall, Simon

N1 - © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America.

PY - 2016/2/1

Y1 - 2016/2/1

N2 - 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+ (1g DHA, 160 mg eicosapentaenoic acid, 240 mg Ginkgo biloba, 60 mg phosphatidylserine, 20mg d-α tocopherol, 1mg folic acid, and 20 µg 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.

AB - 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+ (1g DHA, 160 mg eicosapentaenoic acid, 240 mg Ginkgo biloba, 60 mg phosphatidylserine, 20mg d-α tocopherol, 1mg folic acid, and 20 µg 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.

KW - Aged

KW - Aged, 80 and over

KW - Cognition Disorders

KW - Dietary Supplements

KW - Double-Blind Method

KW - Fatty Acids, Omega-3

KW - Female

KW - Fish Oils

KW - Frail Elderly

KW - Gait Disorders, Neurologic

KW - Humans

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Pilot Projects

KW - Plant Oils

KW - Treatment Outcome

U2 - 10.1093/gerona/glv109

DO - 10.1093/gerona/glv109

M3 - Article

C2 - 26265727

SN - 1758-535X

VL - 71

SP - 236

EP - 242

JO - Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biomedical Sciences and Medical Sciences

JF - Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biomedical Sciences and Medical Sciences

IS - 2

ER -