Mediterranean diet and cognitive decline: what role for omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids?
The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a high consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, and olive oil as the main source of added fat, a moderate consumption of fish and wine, and a low consumption of meat and dairy products as a source of saturated fat. Several epidemiological studie...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
EDP Sciences
2011-07-01
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| Series: | Oléagineux, Corps gras, Lipides |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/ocl.2011.0388 |
| Summary: | The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a high consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, and olive oil as the main source of added fat, a moderate consumption of fish and wine, and a low consumption of meat and dairy products as a source of saturated fat. Several epidemiological studies have shown that higher adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with slower cognitive decline in older persons. This protective effect might be mediated by omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA). We investigated this hypothesis in 1050 participants in the 3City study from Bordeaux. After multivariable adjustment including apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype, plasma docosahexaenoic acid and total n-3 PUFA were positively associated with a score of adherence to a Mediterranean diet. Plasma eicosapentaenoic acid was positively associated with adherence only in ApoE4 non-carriers. These data suggest that the protective effect of the Mediterranean diet on cognitive functions might be partly mediated by higher plasma n-3 PUFA. |
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| ISSN: | 1258-8210 1950-697X |