Polyunsaturated Fats Dull Cognitive Performance with Age
Bottomline: Consuming seed oils, high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, is associated with cognitive impairment in older people according to results of Greek epidemiological study.
Summary: Researchers evaluated diet and cognitive capacity of 732 Greek men and women, aged 60 years or older. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to evaluate cognitive function and is considered good indicator of a person’s mental capacity for everyday activities. Diet was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire including approximately 150 foods and beverages commonly consumed in Greece.
The researchers found that polyunsaturated fatty acid intake was associated with poorer cognitive performance scores. A similar inverse association was observed with consuming seed oils, which contain a high amount of the omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid. This is consistent with results from the Zutphen Elderly Study, which showed that high linoleic acid intake was associated with cognitive impairment.
Study Quote: "At this stage, it would be fair to conclude that long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are possibly beneficial, whereas omega-6 fatty acids may have an adverse effect on cognitive performance."
Comment: While this study does not specify which seed oils were associated with cognitive decline, researcher, Andreas Kyroziswas, responded to my email query, and indicated that "corn oil, sunflower oil and soybean oil are the seed oils mostly consumed in Greece." Notably, this is similar to the USA--soybean oil and corn oil are among the top contributors of omega-6 fat in the American diet. Also, recent studies have shown that the omega-6 fatty acid, arachidonic acid, is elevated in Alzheimer's disease (See Brain Image Study Shows Increased Arachidonic Acid in Alzheimer's Patients)
Link to Study:
Psaltopoulou T, Kyrozis A, Stathopoulos P, Trichopoulos D, Vassilopoulos D, Trichopoulou A. Diet, physical activity and cognitive impairment among elders: the EPIC-Greececohort (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition)..Public Health Nutr. 2008 Oct;11(10):1054-62. Epub 2008 Jan 21.
Background: The prevalence of cognitive impairment is increasing, with dementia being its most severe form. Since Alzheimer’s disease is the most frequent cause of dementia and is associated with many chronic diseases and lifestyle factors, the researchers evaluated diet and lifestyle factors that play a possible role in both conditions.Public Health Nutr. 2008 Oct;11(10):1054-62
Summary: Researchers evaluated diet and cognitive capacity of 732 Greek men and women, aged 60 years or older. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to evaluate cognitive function and is considered good indicator of a person’s mental capacity for everyday activities. Diet was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire including approximately 150 foods and beverages commonly consumed in Greece.
The researchers found that polyunsaturated fatty acid intake was associated with poorer cognitive performance scores. A similar inverse association was observed with consuming seed oils, which contain a high amount of the omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid. This is consistent with results from the Zutphen Elderly Study, which showed that high linoleic acid intake was associated with cognitive impairment.
Study Quote: "At this stage, it would be fair to conclude that long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are possibly beneficial, whereas omega-6 fatty acids may have an adverse effect on cognitive performance."
Comment: While this study does not specify which seed oils were associated with cognitive decline, researcher, Andreas Kyroziswas, responded to my email query, and indicated that "corn oil, sunflower oil and soybean oil are the seed oils mostly consumed in Greece." Notably, this is similar to the USA--soybean oil and corn oil are among the top contributors of omega-6 fat in the American diet. Also, recent studies have shown that the omega-6 fatty acid, arachidonic acid, is elevated in Alzheimer's disease (See Brain Image Study Shows Increased Arachidonic Acid in Alzheimer's Patients)
Link to Study:
Psaltopoulou T, Kyrozis A, Stathopoulos P, Trichopoulos D, Vassilopoulos D, Trichopoulou A. Diet, physical activity and cognitive impairment among elders: the EPIC-Greececohort (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition)..Public Health Nutr. 2008 Oct;11(10):1054-62. Epub 2008 Jan 21.
Seed Newsvine
Posted by Evelyn Tribole MSRD at December 22, 2008 10:35 PM 
Categories: Nutrition, Linoleic Acid, Brain, Oils, Alzheimer's Disease, 2008 Studies, Omega-6 Fat, Abstract, Mediterranean Diet, Food
Categories: Nutrition, Linoleic Acid, Brain, Oils, Alzheimer's Disease, 2008 Studies, Omega-6 Fat, Abstract, Mediterranean Diet, Food
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