So a few things - there is plenty of literature out there on DHA and depression - essentially showing no link and many psychiatrists actually using Omega 3 fatty acids for mood disorders (of which I’m not convinced has evidence). However, there is a relationship between having a high fish diet and decreased mood disorders. However, there will always be individuals who get adverse effects with these, but on a population basis, it seems to promote better mental health).
The Afib stuff is far from clear - especially at typical doses of EPA+DHA at ~1000 mg/day. If the relationship exists at all, it is dose related, and there is an approximate 30% symptomatic vascular disease reduction with optimization of Omega 3’s.
Now in regard to the defective transport into the brain @adssx with those with ApoE4’s - this is why I’ve now gone over to the NatureBell Product that is krill based and loaded with phospholipids, which significantly gets around that issue. A double dose (4 capsules) is required to get up the 1000 mg of EPA/DHA. This supplies 800 mg of phospholipids.
@Beth My best assessment on HSV-1 is that it is likely doing low grade damage to the brain and causing neuroinflammation. So suppressing that would be the rational. This is a separate issue than treating an episode where it comes down the nerve to cause a visible outbreak.
This is what Vera-Health says on this:
Recent studies suggest that valacyclovir and acyclovir, both antiviral medications, may have a role in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The VALAD trial is investigating the use of valacyclovir in patients with mild AD who are seropositive for HSV1 or HSV2. This trial hypothesizes that valacyclovir could slow cognitive and functional decline by reducing amyloid and tau accumulation in the brain 2.
Further supporting this, a study found that valacyclovir and acyclovir could reverse transposable element dysregulation in HHV-positive AD brains, potentially reducing tau-associated neuropathology 3. Additionally, a systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that antiherpetic medications, including valacyclovir and acyclovir, significantly reduced the risk of dementia, particularly in individuals with severe herpesvirus infections 4.
Moreover, computational docking studies and animal models have shown that valacyclovir may improve neurobehavioral markers and reduce neuroinflammation, suggesting a potential disease-modifying effect in AD 5.
The mechanism by which these antivirals may exert their effects involves inhibiting HSV1, which has been implicated in AD pathogenesis, particularly in individuals carrying the APOE-ε4 allele. HSV1 reactivation in the brain can lead to amyloid beta and tau formation, contributing to AD pathology 6.
In summary, current evidence suggests that valacyclovir and acyclovir may decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s dementia by targeting HSV1-related mechanisms. However, further clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings and establish definitive treatment guidelines. These drugs are primarily used for treating herpes infections by interfering with DNA polymerase to inhibit DNA replication (ASHP).
