Title | Nutritional Intervention to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease: Potential Benefits of Xanthophyll Carotenoids and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Combined. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2018 |
Authors | Nolan, JM, Mulcahy, R, Power, R, Moran, R, Howard, AN |
Journal | J Alzheimers Dis |
Volume | 64 |
Issue | 2 |
Pagination | 367-378 |
Date Published | 2018 |
ISSN | 1875-8908 |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that enrichment of certain nutritional compounds in the brain may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of supplemental xanthophyll carotenoids plus omega-3 fatty acids on disease progression in patients with AD. METHODS: Three trial experiments were performed. In Trials 1 and 2 (performed on patients with AD over an 18-month period), 12 patients (AD status at baseline: 4 mild and 8 moderate) were supplemented with a xanthophyll carotenoid only formulation (Formulation 1; lutein:meso-zeaxanthin:zeaxanthin 10:10:2 mg/day) and 13 patients (AD status at baseline: 2 mild, 10 moderate, and 1 severe) were supplemented with a xanthophyll carotenoid and fish oil combination (Formulation 2; lutein:meso-zeaxanthin:zeaxanthin 10:10:2 mg/day plus 1 g/day of fish oil containing 430 mg docohexaenoic acid [DHA] and 90 mg eicopentaenoic acid [EPA]), respectively. In Trial 3, 15 subjects free of AD (the control group) were supplemented for 6 months with Formulation 1. Blood xanthophyll carotenoid response was measured in all trials by HPLC. Omega-3 fatty acids were profiled by direct infusion mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Xanthophyll carotenoid concentration increases were significantly greater for Formulation 2 compared to Formulation 1 (p CONCLUSION: This preliminary report suggests positive outcomes for patients with AD who consumed a combination of xanthophyll carotenoids plus fish oil, but further study is required to confirm this important observation. |
DOI | 10.3233/JAD-180160 |
Alternate Journal | J. Alzheimers Dis. |
PubMed ID | 29945352 |