Analysis Version
v1
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Back to Study: Homocysteine Status Modifies the Treatment Effect ...
correlational
Analysis v1
Strong Support

If you have Alzheimer’s and your blood has high levels of a substance called homocysteine, taking omega-3 fish oil supplements might help your memory and thinking skills a bit—but only if you look at certain tests, not all of them.

55
Pro
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Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

55

Community contributions welcome

55

Homocysteine Status Modifies the Treatment Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cognition in a Randomized Clinical Trial in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease: The OmegAD Study

Randomized Controlled Trial
Human
2019

This study found that omega-3 supplements only helped memory and daily function in Alzheimer’s patients who had low levels of a blood chemical called homocysteine — and they didn’t help with one specific memory test, which matches exactly what the claim says.

Contradicting (0)

0

Community contributions welcome

No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Homocysteine Status Modifies the Treatment Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cognition in a Randomized Clinical Trial in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease: The OmegAD Study

Score: 55
DOI: 10.3233/jad-181148

Similar Assertions

For people with early-stage Alzheimer’s, taking a specific fish oil supplement for 6 months might help them think a little better and function more normally—but only if their blood has low levels of a chemical called homocysteine before they start.

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91%

Taking omega-3 supplements every day for six months doesn’t seem to help people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s think better, no matter what their blood homocysteine levels were to begin with.

55
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90%

Taking a supplement called betaine can lower a substance in your blood called homocysteine, which is linked to a higher chance of getting Alzheimer’s—so this supplement might help protect your brain.

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73%