For adults with blood sugar problems, taking insulin glargine every day and omega-3 supplements for more than six years doesn't seem to slow down memory loss or prevent dementia.

We analyzed the available evidence on whether insulin glargine and omega-3 supplements prevent cognitive decline in people with dysglycemia, and what we’ve found so far suggests these treatments don’t appear to slow memory loss or reduce the risk of dementia over the long term. Specifically, 24 studies or assertions support this observation, and none contradict it [1]. The evidence focuses on adults with blood sugar problems who took insulin glargine daily and omega-3 supplements for more than six years. In all cases reviewed, there was no clear sign that this combination helped protect thinking skills or kept dementia from developing. We don’t know why — it could be related to how the body responds to these substances over time, or perhaps the underlying biology of dysglycemia and brain health doesn’t connect in a way these supplements can influence. It’s important to note that this doesn’t mean insulin glargine or omega-3s are useless for other reasons — they may still help manage blood sugar or support heart health. But when it comes to keeping the mind sharp as people age, the evidence we’ve reviewed doesn’t show a benefit from using them together for this purpose. We don’t have enough data to say whether shorter use, different doses, or different populations might change this picture. The studies we looked at were limited to long-term use in people with dysglycemia, so we can’t apply these findings to others. If you’re taking these supplements or insulin for blood sugar control and hoping to protect your memory, our current analysis suggests you shouldn’t expect cognitive benefits from them. Talk with your doctor about other ways to support brain health — like movement, sleep, and managing stress — that have stronger evidence behind them.