Fish are an important source of high protein, vitamins and minerals while being low in saturated fats. Fish oil has been a known source of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which have been shown to provide benefits to diseases including cancer, asthma, depression, cardiovascular disease, ADHD, and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Omega-3 fatty acids have also recently been implicated in helping delay dementia in alcohol abusers, a new study shows. Researchers at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Kentucky and the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) published the study in the renowned open-access, peer-reviewed online journal, Public Library of Science (PLoS) One.

The study exposed one set of cultures of adult rat brain cells to concentrations of alcohol found in chronic alcoholics (about four times the legal limit for driving) over a period of several days. This control group was compared to another set of cultures that was exposed to the same alcohol concentrations, but in conjunction with DHA from fish oil.

Results from the experiment showed up to 90 percent less neuroinflammation and cell death in the alcohol plus DHA cultures, compared to the alcohol-only cultures. As this is still a preliminary study, further studies are needed to confirm whether fish oil protects against alcohol-related cognitive injury and dementia in further rodent models, and eventually in adults.

“Fish oil has the potential of helping preserve brain integrity in chronic alcohol abusers,” said Michael A. Collins, lead researcher on the study. “At the very least, it is unlikely that it would hurt them.” Fish oil has also been linked to the prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease if taken consistently before or during middle-age.

He also added that the best way for alcohol-abusers to protect themselves from brain damage would be to cut back or completely abstain from alcohol use. “We don’t want people to think it is okay to take a few fish oil capsules and then continue to go on abusing alcohol,” said Collins.

An earlier meta-analysis of 75 studies by Collins found that moderate social drinking may have the ability to effectively reduce the risk of aging-related dementia and/or cognitive impairment. Moderate drinking in this context is defined as a maximum of two drinks for males and one drink for females daily.

The research suggests that  moderate amounts of alcohol promote neuronal cell fitness by inducing just enough stress to push cells to better cope with future stressors. Too much alcohol, however, leads to neuroinflammation, and eventually neuronal cell death.