Folic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids improve cognitive function and prevent depression, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease—But how and why?

2008 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Undurti N. Das
Author(s):  
C. Hooper ◽  
P. De Souto Barreto ◽  
M. Pahor ◽  
M. Weiner ◽  
B. Vellas

Significant research attention has focussed on the identification of nutraceutical agents for the prevention of cognitive decline as a natural means of cognitive preservation in the elderly. There is some evidence for a reduction of brain omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) in normal aging and in Alzheimer’s disease. n-3 PUFAs exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-amyloidogenic properties as well as being able to reduce tau phosphorylation. Many observational studies have demonstrated a link between n-3 PUFAs and cognitive aging, and some, but not all, randomized controlled trials have demonstrated a benefit of n-3 PUFA supplementation on cognition, particularly in those subjects with mild cognitive impairment. The identification of a biomarker that reflects n-3 PUFA intake over time and consequent tissue levels is required. In this narrative review we discuss the evidence associating red blood cell membrane n-3 PUFAs with cognitive function and structural brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Key words: Docosahexaenoic acid, omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty aci


2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Nathalia Liberato Nascimento ◽  
Iwyson Henrique Fernandes da Costa ◽  
Rivelilson Mendes de Freitas

The objective of this study was to conduct a review about the nutritional aspects and their influences on the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. The review describes the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease, the generally indicated diets, and the nutritional factors that may aggravate the disease based on a literature review using the following keywords in English and Portuguese: “Alzheimer’s disease”, “physiopathology”, “nutritional aspects”, and “antioxidants”. A total of 100 articles were found, 48 in Lilacs and 52 in MedLine, but only 54 articles were selected for the review. The use of antioxidants as free radical scavengers is generally indicated in diets for Alzheimer’s patients. Studies also suggest that caffeine, vitamin B12, and folic acid have neuroprotective effects. Cohort studies found that a high intake of saturated fatty acids and obesity increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. People with Alzheimer’s disease should avoid diets high in carbohydrates and saturated fats, and prefer foods high in antioxidants.Keywords: Alzheimer disease; Antioxidants; Neurophysiology; Review literture as topic.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1251-1260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Fernández-Fernández ◽  
Gerard Esteban ◽  
Mercedes Giralt ◽  
Tony Valente ◽  
Irene Bolea ◽  
...  

LMN diet could benefit the cognitive reserve reducing Alzheimer's disease risk.


FEBS Journal ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (23) ◽  
pp. 4083-4095 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Elharram ◽  
Nicole M. Czegledy ◽  
Michael Golod ◽  
Ginger L. Milne ◽  
Erik Pollock ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guang Fang ◽  
Baoyan Shi ◽  
Kefeng Wu ◽  
Siyu Chen ◽  
Xiang Gao ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e450101018968
Author(s):  
Séfura Maria Assis Moura ◽  
Selene Maia de Morais ◽  
José Osvaldo Beserra Carioca ◽  
Ana Livya Moreira Rodrigues ◽  
Daniela Ribeiro Alves ◽  
...  

Acetylcholine deficiency is a neurochemical characteristic of patients with clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer´s disease. Substances that inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, increasing levels of acetylcholine in the brain, are a promising form of treatment. Studies relate the use of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease. The Northeast Region of Brazil has an enormous biological diversity and a wide variety of fish species. In this work, the oils of eleven species of marine fish found on the coast of Ceará, Brazil, were analyzed in relation to the fatty acid profile and the inhibitory activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Total lipids were extracted from fish samples by Folch metodology. The lipid extracts of the fish and industrialized fish oil, used for comparison, were esterified and fatty acid profiles were analyzed. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity was measured quantitatively. The oils presented a high percentage of saturated fatty acids, which is a general characteristic of tropical fish. Oleic acid was the highest monounsaturated fatty acid. Oils of Scomberomorus cavalla, Lutjanus synagris and Haemulon plumieri presented expressive percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acids and the most potent anticholinesterase activities. This research showed the oils of S. cavalla, L. synagris and H. plumieri may be promising functional food products of active fatty acids as new therapies to treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease. The expressive concentration of unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids together with their relevant anticholinesterase activity are characteristics of the importance of these fish oils.


Author(s):  
Е. Е. Дубинина ◽  
Л. В. Щедрина ◽  
К. В. Ющин ◽  
Е. В. Светкина ◽  
Н. М. Залуцкая ◽  
...  

Снижение когнитивных функций вплоть до развития деменции у пожилых людей связывают с уменьшением в крови уровня полиненасыщенных жирных кислот, особенно Омега-3, которое происходит на фоне окислительного стресса. В работе представлен сравнительный анализ спектра полиненасыщенных жирных кислот и активности отдельных компонентов ферментативной антиоксидантной системы в крови у лиц пожилого возраста с нарушением показателей когнитивного функционирования до уровня «мягкое когнитивное снижение» первично-атрофической (MCI БА, продромальная болезнь Альцгеймера) или васкулярной этиологии (MCI СД, продромальная сосудистая деменция) по сравнению с пожилыми людьми без признаков нарушений когнитивных функций. Выявлено снижение концентрации Омега-3 полиненасыщенных жирных кислот в крови обеих групп обследованных больных по сравнению с контрольной группой. У пациентов с MCI БА обнаружено резкое снижение концентрации арахидоновой кислоты (Омега-6) по сравнению с больными MCI СД и контрольной группой. Выявленное нами снижение активности антиоксидантной ферментативной системы и снижение полиненасыщенных жирных кислот за счет их пероксидации свидетельствует об интенсификации процессов окислительного стресса у пациентов с нарушением когнитивных функций. Обсуждается вопрос о патогенетической роли арахидоновой кислоты у больных, предрасположенных в будущем к развитию болезни Альцгеймера. A decrease in cognitive functions up to the development of dementia in the elderly is associated with a decrease in the blood level of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially Omega-3, which occurs against the background of oxidative stress. The paper presents a comparative analysis of the spectrum of polyunsaturated fatty acids and the activity of individual components of the enzymatic antioxidant system in the blood of elderly people with impaired cognitive performance to the level of «mild cognitive decline» (MCI AD, prodromal Alzheimer’s disease) or vascular etiology (MCI VaD, prodromal vascular dementia) compared with older people without signs of cognitive impairment. A decrease in the concentration of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the blood of both groups of the examined patients was revealed compared with the control group. In patients with AD MCI, a sharp decrease in the concentration of arachidonic acid (Omega-6) was detected compared with patients with MCI VaD and the control group. The decrease in the activity of the antioxidant enzymatic system and the decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids due to their peroxidation revealed in this study indicate an intensification of the OS processes in patients with impaired cognitive functions. The question of the pathogenetic role of arachidonic acid in patients predisposed in the future to the development of AD is discussed.


2010 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 1508
Author(s):  
T. Uehara ◽  
T. Matsuoka ◽  
T. Sumiyoshi ◽  
H. Itoh ◽  
Y. Muranaka ◽  
...  

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