A cross-sectional study involving 1,219 cognitively healthy elderly people (+65 years) who were participants in a community-based multiethnic cohort study identified an inverse association between omega-3 fatty acids and beta-amyloid (Ab). Information on dietary intake was obtained 1.2 years, on average, before Ab assay. The associations of plasma Ab40 and Ab42 levels and dietary intake of saturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acid, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), omega-6 PUFA, vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin B(12), folate, and vitamin D were examined. Results found omega-3 fatty acids were a strong predictor of Ab42, less so with Ab40. Data suggests that higher dietary omega-3 fatty acid intake may be associated with lower plasma levels of Ab42, a reduced risk of incident AD and slower cognitive decline.
