COLUMBIA, Md., May 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Memory
Improvement with Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) Study (MIDAS) published
online this week in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The
Journal of the Alzheimer's Association showed that algal DHA
improved memory function in healthy aging adults, providing a
benefit roughly equivalent to having the learning and memory skills
of someone three years younger.
MIDAS is the first large, randomized and placebo-controlled
study demonstrating the benefits of algal DHA in maintaining and
improving brain health in older adults. The goal of MIDAS was to
evaluate the effects of algal DHA on cognitive outcomes in healthy
elderly people with a mild memory complaint. The study was funded
by Martek Biosciences.
MIDAS found that healthy people with memory complaints who took
900 mg algal DHA capsules for six months had almost double the
reduction in errors on a test that measures learning and memory
performance versus those who took a placebo, a benefit roughly
equivalent to having the learning and memory skills of someone
three years younger. The DHA was well-tolerated and subjects taking
the DHA also experienced a lower heart rate, providing a
significant cardiovascular benefit.
The study population included 485 people 55 and older at 19 U.S.
sites who were considered to have age-related cognitive decline.
Age-related cognitive decline is defined as decline in cognitive
functioning consequent to the aging process that is within normal
limits given a person's age. For example, individuals may report
problems remembering names or appointments or may experience
difficulty solving complex problems.
MIDAS study participants consumed an oral dose of 900 mg per day
of algal DHA or a placebo (corn/soy) over the course of six months.
The primary endpoint was a cognitive test of memory and learning
called the CANTAB Paired Associate Learning (PAL). CANTAB PAL is an
assessment of visual memory and new learning, and is a useful tool
for assessing patients with age-related memory loss.
"The fear of memory loss and losing brain capacity looms large
in the minds of boomers," said renowned neurologist and memory
expert, Majid Fotuhi, M.D., Ph.D.,
author of "The Memory Cure." "But as MIDAS demonstrates in a
clinical setting, there are some simple things you can do to
maintain and even improve your brain health as you age – like
taking 900 mg of algal DHA every day."
DHA is a structural omega-3 fatty acid in the brain that has
been shown in epidemiological, preclinical, and now in clinical
research to support brain health. Yet, despite DHA's importance,
most people eating a Western diet consume low amounts of DHA.
The source of DHA used in MIDAS was a vegetarian and sustainable
algal DHA produced by Martek Biosciences, and marketed to consumers
under the brand name of life'sDHA™. Algal DHA supplements
that will enable consumers to easily achieve daily algal DHA intake
comparable to the amount used in this study can be found at major
drugstores and retailers under the Algal-900™ product name and
carrying the life'sDHA logo.
"Up to one third of the more than 75 million baby boomers in the
U.S. will experience a gradual decline in cognitive function as
they age," said Dr. Edward B.
Nelson, medical director for Martek and co-author of the
study. "MIDAS is significant because it shows for the first time
that taking 900 mg of algal DHA daily may have a very meaningful
and important impact on cognitive function in the aging
population."
"We have known for a long time based on the strong body of
epidemiological research that DHA may play an important role in
cognitive function, particularly in the aging population," said.
Dr. Karin Yurko-Mauro, associate
director of clinical research for Martek and project lead of MIDAS.
"With MIDAS, we now have clinical evidence to indicate that 900 mg
of algal DHA improves memory and learning in aging adults."
About DHA
DHA omega-3 is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid that serves as a
primary building block for the brain and the eyes and supports
brain, eye and cardiovascular health throughout life. There is a
large and growing body of scientific evidence demonstrating that
people of all ages benefit from an adequate supply of DHA omega-3
in their diets. Scientific reviews have highlighted the importance
of DHA omega-3 in proper brain and eye development and function, as
well as its importance in cardiovascular health. Leading experts
around the world have noted that DHA is an important nutrient for
health throughout the life cycle. Yet despite its importance,
Americans have among the lowest dietary intakes of DHA omega-3 in
the world.
Fish are often incorrectly thought to be the only source of DHA
omega-3. However, life'sDHA offers a trusted, vegetarian
form of algal DHA that contains no oceanic pollutants or toxins.
Fish are sources of DHA because of the DHA-rich microalgae in their
food chain; life'sDHA is derived directly from microalgae, a
renewable, sustainable source of DHA that does not deplete ocean
resources, and is produced entirely in the U.S. in an FDA-inspected
facility. Today, life'sDHA is found in numerous foods,
beverages and supplements for people of all ages. It is also the
only source of DHA used in U.S. infant formula and is included in
more than 99 percent of all formulas on the U.S. market, as well as
in more than 350 brands of infant formula, nutritional supplements
and functional foods sold in over 75 countries worldwide. A dietary
supplement designed to deliver 900 mg of DHA daily is available at
major drugstore chains and retailers under the Algal 900 DHA name
and carrying the life'sDHA logo.
About Martek
Martek Biosciences Corporation (Nasdaq: MATK) is a leader in the
innovation, development, production and sales of high-value
products from microbial sources that promote health and wellness
through nutrition. The company is the world's leading
provider of algal DHA omega-3 with its flagship product,
life'sDHA, a sustainable and vegetarian source of algal DHA
omega-3 important for brain, heart and eye health throughout life,
for use in foods, beverages, infant formula, and supplements. The
company also produces life'sARA™ (arachidonic acid), an
omega-6 fatty acid, for use in infant formula and growing up milks.
Additionally, Martek's subsidiary, Amerifit Brands, develops,
markets and distributes branded consumer health and wellness
products in major mass, club, drug, grocery and specialty stores
and holds leading brand positions in all of its key product
categories. For more information on Martek Biosciences, visit
http://www.martek.com/. For a complete list of life'sDHA™ or
life'sARA™ products, visit http://www.lifesdha.com/. For
more information about Amerifit Brands, visit www.amerifit.com.
Sections of this release contain forward-looking statements.
These statements are based upon numerous assumptions which Martek
cannot control and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ. These statements should be understood in
light of the risk factors set forth in the company's filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited
to, the company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2009 and other filed reports on Form
10-K, Form 10-K/A, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.
Contact:
|
|
Cassie
France-Kelly
|
|
Public Relations,
Martek
|
|
(443)
542-2116
|
|
media@martek.com
|
|
|
SOURCE Martek Biosciences Corporation