Fairburn, 2019, Effects of a high-DHA multi-nutrient supplement and exercise on mobility and cognition in older women (MOBILE): a randomised semi-blinded placebo-controlled study.
No treatment effects were observed for the primary outcome, habitual walking speed. Improvements in verbal memory and executive function were seen for all treatments groups v.placebo (all, P < 0·05). Significant improvements in self-reported emotional well-being were seen with multi-nutrient and exercise groups v. placebo (P = 0·03). The results suggest that the high-DHA multi-nutrient supplement produces similar improvements in cognitive function to aerobic exercise, offering the intriguing prospect that supplementation may be able to mitigate some of the effects of low physical activity on cognitive function in the elderly.
Population studied: Healthy women ~ 60 years of age.
Dosage & Duration: Active Memory was given for 24 weeks, while the exercise intervention (two supervised stationary exercise bike sessions per week) was for the final 12 weeks
Groups comprised: Active Memory exercise (n=11) Placebo and exercise (n=9)
Measures used: Verbal and spatial memory, executive function, processing speed and single and dual-task gait conditions were assessed. Blood fatty acids were measured by pin-prick analysis.
There is a complex interplay between mobility and cognition in older adults. We have previously shown that a high-DHA multi-nutrient supplement improves habitual walking speed, verbal memory and psychomotor response latency in older women. Exercise also improves mobility and cognition in older adults, and n-3 fatty acids and exercise share a range of overlapping biological effects. This study examined for the first time the effects of the high-DHA multi-nutrient supplement and aerobic exercise on mobility and cognition in older women. Women (mean age 67 (SD 8) years) were assigned to the following groups: multi-nutrient (1 g DHA, 160 mg EPA, 240 mg Ginkgo biloba, 60mg phosphatidylserine, 20 mg D-αtocopherol, 1mg folic acid and 20 μg vitamin B12 per d, n 13), multi-nutrient and exercise (spin class twice per week, n 14), exercise and placebo (n 12) or placebo (n 12). The multi-nutrient was given for 24 weeks and exercise for 12 weeks. No treatment effects were observed for the primary outcome, habitual walking speed. Improvements in verbal memory and executive function were seen for all treatments groups v. placebo (all, P < 0·05). Significant improvements in self-reported emotional well-being were seen with multi-nutrient and exercise groups v. placebo (P = 0·03). The results suggest that the high-DHA multi-nutrient supplement produces similar improvements in cognitive function to aerobic exercise, offering the intriguing prospect that supplementation may be able to mitigate some of the effects of low physical activity on cognitive function in the elderly.
Reference
Fairbairn. Preliminary analysis suggests a high DHA multi-nutrient supplementation and aerobic exercise produce similar improvements in verbal memory in older females. Abstract # 446420, ISSFAL 2018 Conference, Las Vegas, May 2018 Registered Clinical Trial Number (NCT03228550).
