scholarly journals Essential Fatty Acids and the Brain

2003 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Haag

Objective: To review the role of essential fatty acids in brain membrane function and in the genesis of psychiatric disease. Method: Medline databases were searched for published articles with links among the following key words: essential fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexanoic acid, eicosapentanoic acid, arachidonic acid, neurotransmission, phospholipase A2, depression, schizophrenia, mental performance, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Alzheimer's disease. Biochemistry textbooks were consulted on the role of fatty acids in membrane function, neurotransmission, and eicosanoid formation. The 3-dimensional structures of fatty acids were obtained from the Web site of the Biochemistry Department, University of Arizona (2001). Results: The fatty acid composition of neuronal cell membrane phospholipids reflects their intake in the diet. The degree of a fatty acid's desaturation determines its 3-dimensional structure and, thus, membrane fluidity and function. The ratio between omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), in particular, influences various aspects of serotoninergic and catecholaminergic neurotransmission, as shown by studies in animal models. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) hydrolyzes fatty acids from membrane phospholipids: liberated omega-6 PUFAs are metabolized to prostaglandins with a higher inflammatory potential, compared with those generated from the omega-3 family. Thus the activity of PLA2 coupled with membrane fatty acid composition may play a central role in the development of neuronal dysfunction. Intervention trials in human subjects show that omega-3 fatty acids have possible positive effects in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders, but more data are needed to make conclusive directives in this regard. Conclusion: The ratio of membrane omega-3 to omega-6 PUFAs can be modulated by dietary intake. This ratio influences neurotransmission and prostaglandin formation, processes that are vital in the maintenance of normal brain function.

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 907-915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirajan Shrestha ◽  
Simone L. Sleep ◽  
James S.M. Cuffe ◽  
Olivia J. Holland ◽  
Anthony V. Perkins ◽  
...  

Fisheries ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (5) ◽  
pp. 101-106
Author(s):  
Elena Chupikova ◽  
Konstantin Pavel ◽  
Svetlana Tkachenko

The article analyzes the fatty acid composition of the frozen iwashi lipids of different shelf lives. It is established that the total amount of essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 in iwashi’s fat reaches almost 90% of all polyunsaturated fatty acids and remains practically unchanged for 12 months of fish cold storage. It is shown that products from iwashi contain a significant amount of essential fatty acids, indispensable for the human body, which can be used to optimize the population nutrition and satisfy the physiological needs in eicosopentaenoic and docosahexaenoic fatty acids.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuyi C. Gooley ◽  
Aaron C. Gooley

AbstractA twelve-month study was conducted on changes in fatty acid composition and pesticide residues in honeybees and beebread. In honeybees, saturated fatty acid and monounsaturated fatty acid gradually increased as summer began then decreased when spring started, and polyunsaturated fatty acid had an opposite seasonal trend. Similar fluctuation was observed in the beebread collected from the same hive as those honeybees through summer to fall, especially in the essential fatty acids omega-6 and omega-3. Honeybees’ lipid metabolism can be disrupted after being exposed to a sub-lethal level of pesticide. Although three out of sixteen analyzed pesticides were detected in beebread samples summer through fall in our study, we were not able to find any negative affect of those pesticides on the honeybees’ fatty acid composition. Temporary field-realistic pesticide exposure may weaken honeybees but are unlikely to show any reflection in their fat bodies if the colony was otherwise healthy.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (16) ◽  
pp. 25-34
Author(s):  
Șerban Gligor ◽  
Răzvan Gligor

Abstract Polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that cannot be produced by the body itself and therefore must be provided through nutrition. Omega-6 and particularly omega-3 fatty acids have important roles in the organism, contributing to the maintenance and promotion of health. The optimal proportion of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids is 2:1, or even better 1:1. They are involved in normal growth and development, play a role in the prevention of coronary and cardiovascular diseases, of diabetes mellitus, of arterial hypertension, arthritis and cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids mainly have an anti-inflammatory effect, but also act as hypolipidemic and antithrombotic agents. A potential role of omega-3 fatty acids is that of increasing physical performance. Their role in the physical activity refers on one side to the global health of athletes and on the other side to their anti-inflammatory effect, as high intensity physical exercise induces increased free-radical production and microtraumas, with the induction of an inflammatory status. The anti-inflammatory effect of these fatty acids manifests through an increased production of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, through decreasing the production of prostaglandins metabolites, decreasing the production of leukotriene B4, etc. They are also effective on reducing muscle pain post eccentric exercise and on decreasing the severity of bronchoconstriction induced by exercise, as well as improving pulmonary function variables. In conclusion it seems that supplementing diets with omega-3 fatty acids, apart from having benefic effects on health and on the prevention and management of certain affections, proves to be a beneficial for physical activity and athletic performance.


2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 162-163
Author(s):  
Janna Cropotova ◽  
Svetlana Popel

Fish consumption is an important part of human diet due to essential omega-3 fatty acids found naturally in this product. Many researchers from all over the world found that high mercury concentrations in the body reduced the heart-protective effects of the fatty acids in fish oils. People shouldn't be constrained by choosing between the health hazards related to toxins caused by industrial pollution and the nutritional benefits provided by consummation of essential fatty acids contained in oily fish. It is very important to find an alternative natural source of essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA to restore an optimal ratio between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in the human diet.


2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 795-803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni M. Turchini ◽  
Peter D. Nichols ◽  
Colin Barrow ◽  
Andrew J. Sinclair

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