Do long-chain omega-3s protect the brain from aging?

Omega-3 fatty acids are often touted as the brain’s star nutrients, but can they slow cognitive decline?

Long-chain omega-3s — EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) — are found primarily in fish from cold seas; the body can also synthesize them in

  • References

  • Historical

  1. Valenzuela and Valenzuela. Omega-3 Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Mood Disorders: Why and How to Provide Supplementation? Mood Disorders. 2013.

  2. Handles. National individual study of food consumption 3 (INCA 3). Notice. 2017.

  3. Thomas et al. Association between long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, brain atrophy, cognitive decline and dementia risk–3-Cities–Bordeaux cohort. Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. 2020.

  4. Wei et al. The Relationship of Omega-3 Fatty Acids with Dementia and Cognitive Decline: Evidence from Prospective Cohort Studies of Supplementation, Dietary Intake, and Blood Markers. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2023.

  5. Sydenham et al. Omega 3 fatty acid for the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia. Cochrane Database SystRev. 2012.

  6. Barberger-Gateau et al. Omega-3 fatty acids and cognitive decline: the controversy. OCL. 2013.

  7. Yang et al. N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Alzheimers Dis. 2024.

  8. Danthiir et al. An 18-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of DHA-rich fish oil to prevent age-related cognitive decline in cognitively normal older adults. Am J Clin Nutr. 2018.

  9. Chanseaume-Bussiere et al. Summary of the SFN webinar “Omega-3” held on Thursday October 24, 2024 in partnership with Saint Hubert – Lesieur. Nutrition and Dietetics Notebooks. 2025.

  • Current version

    04/29/2026

    Updated by Collectif laNutrition

  • on 04/27/2026

    Publication by Marie-Céline Ray


    Science journalist

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