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(New York-WABC, December 29 , 2004) — You've heard fish and fish oil are good for you. So are antioxidants, but could they help slow the progression of Alzheimer's? New research is aiming to find out.

Doris King, Alzheimer's sufferer: "I used to be really sharp with names and numbers, and poof, it all went."

She's in a study to test the effects of fish oil and a powerful antioxidant called alpha-lipoic acid.

Memory tests track King's progress. Two observational studies - one from the Netherlands and one from the United States - already show evidence that eating fish may decrease the risk of Alzheimer's. Naturopath Lynne Shinto, N.D., of Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Ore.: "Both studies showed a 60- to 70- percent reduced risk in Alzheimer's disease in people who consumed fish one or more times a week. That, to me, was pretty striking."

Results from this study won't be available for another year. So far Shinto says no one has reported side effects.

Shinto: "I think if you take a few grams of fish oil, it's not going to hurt you. I think if you're taking it thinking it's going to cure your Alzheimer's disease that's a wrong assumption." But it could offer improvement.

King could be getting placebo supplements. She's also on a new prescription drug. But whatever it is, she says something is making a difference.

King: "I feel better, I want to do more things and I remember better. I'm not saying that I remember well, but I remember better."

So she needs less help from her husband. Some fish is high in mercury, which can be harmful, so the FDA advises women who may become pregnant to limit the amount they eat. Doctors also suggest checking fish oil supplements to see if they contain mercury before starting the supplement.

Source: ABC News. Copyright ©2004 ABC Inc., WABC-TV Inc.