COLUMBIA, Md., Nov. 4, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Memory
Improvement with Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) Study (MIDAS) published
online in March 2010 and in the
November print issue of 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 over age 55 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 additionally a significant cardiovascular benefit.
Another study, published in the latest issue of the Journal
of the American Medical Association (JAMA), conducted by the
Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) group, found that
treatment with DHA did not show statistically significant benefit
in cognitive function over placebo in a population that already had
an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and was also receiving concomitant
prescription therapy. However, the study authors noted that
intervention with DHA might have been effective if initiated
earlier in the course of the disease in patients who do not have
overt dementia. An editorial published in JAMA accompanying the
study noted the same, stating that effective treatment strategies
to prevent progression of Alzheimer's disease will likely need to
be initiated earlier and that the treatment of mild to moderate AD
may be "too late."
Of great interest, the ADCS study demonstrated a significantly
slower rate of cognitive decline in a sub-population of subjects
who did not have the APOe4 gene, a gene associated with an
increased risk for Alzheimer's disease. Approximately 50 percent of
the Alzheimer's population as well as approximately 70 percent of
the general population is APOe4 negative. The possible interaction
between certain therapies, such as DHA, and genetic status is an
intriguing finding that could be clinically significant should
these results be duplicated in future research.
Both of these studies raise the possibility that early dietary
interventions prior to the onset of any memory related disease may
be necessary for an effect. Early detection of and diagnostic
methods for Alzheimer's are key in order to test therapies at
earlier stages.
The source of DHA used in MIDAS and the ADCS studies was a
vegetarian and sustainable algal DHA produced by Martek Biosciences
that is marketed to consumers under the brand name of
life'sDHA™. Algal DHA supplements that enable consumers to
easily increase daily algal DHA intake can be found at major
drugstores and retailers under the Algal-900™ product name and
carrying the life'sDHA logo.
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.
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 information about life'sDHA™ or
life'sARA™ products, visit www.lifesdha.com/ or
www.algaldha.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