Supplement long recommended to prevent dementia may actually speed up brain decline: study
A new study suggests that omega-3 supplements, commonly taken to support brain health, may be linked to faster cognitive decline in older adults. Researchers observed steeper drops in cognitive performance among supplement users over five years, independent of genetic risk factors. The decline was associated with reduced brain glucose metabolism, not typical Alzheimer's biomarkers, raising questions about how these supplements affect brain function.
- ▪Omega-3 supplements are taken by about 1 in 5 Americans over age 60, often for brain health benefits.
- ▪The study followed over 800 older adults and found those taking omega-3s had greater cognitive decline regardless of APOE ε4 gene status.
- ▪Brain scans showed reduced glucose metabolism in supplement users, suggesting impaired energy use in brain cells.
- ▪The study was observational and cannot prove that omega-3 supplements directly caused the cognitive decline.
- ▪Some experts suggest whole-food sources of omega-3s, like fatty fish, may have different effects than isolated supplements.
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| Original publisher | New York Post |
| Canonical URL | https://nypost.com/2026/05/16/health/this-popular-brain-health-supplement-may-speed-cognitive-decline/ |
| Publication time | Sat, 16 May 2026 15:14:02 -0400 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-16T19:15:18.988Z |
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Health Supplement long recommended to prevent dementia may actually speed up brain decline: study By McKenzie Beard Published May 16, 2026, 3:14 p.m. ET Something fishy may be going on with a daily pill trusted by millions of Americans. Across the country, older adults have embraced a popular supplement often touted as a way to support brain health and possibly even help ward off dementia. But new research is turning that idea on its head, suggesting people who regularly take the capsules could actually face a higher risk of faster cognitive decline. 3 One in ten older adults in the US are currently living with dementia. Daniel L�/peopleimages.com – stock.adobe.com The supplements in question? Omega-3 fatty acids, better known as omega-3s.
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