B Vitamins and n–3 Fatty Acids for Brain Development and Function: Review of Human Studies

Abstract

Background: Nutrition is one of many factors that affect brain development and functioning, and in recent years the role of certain nutrients has been investigated. B vitamins and n–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are two of the most promising and widely studied nutritional factors. Methods: In this review, we provide an overview of human studies published before August 2011 on how vitamin B₆, folate, vitamin B₁₂ and n–3 PUFA may affect the brain, their nutrient status and the existing evidence for an association between these nutrients and brain development, brain functioning and depression during different stages of the life cycle. Results: No recommendation can be given regarding a role of B vitamins, either because the number of studies on B vitamins is too limited (pregnant and lactating women and children) or the studies are not consistent (adults and elderly). For n–3 PUFA, observational evidence may be suggestive of a beneficial effect; however, this has not yet been sufficiently replicated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Conclusions: We found that the existing evidence from observational studies as well as RCTs is generally too limited and contradictory to draw firm conclusions. More research is needed, particularly a combination of good-quality long-term prospective studies and well-designed RCTs.

Emerging roles for folate and related B-vitamins in brain health across the lifecycle

“…Of particular importance are folate and the related B-vitamins that are involved in C 1 metabolism and in the production of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), a universal methyl donor required for various reactions, including the production of neurotransmitters (3) . B-vitamins are required for essential brain metabolic pathways and are fundamental in all aspects of brain development and maintenance of brain health throughout the lifecycle (4) . This review will explore the evidence linking maternal folate status with neurocognitive development in the offspring and will consider the associated explanatory mechanisms.…”

The Role of Malnutrition during Pregnancy and Its Effects on Brain and Skeletal Muscle Postnatal Development

“…Folic acid integration during pregnancy is necessary in relation to its protective role against possible neural tube defects [24,25], especially in the closing stages of neural tube. For this reason, it is strongly suggested the consumption of 400 µg of folic acid daily, from conception to the end of the first trimester of pregnancy [26]. Scientific data, even if not entirely consistent, suggest that the concentration of folate during pregnancy can affect the neurological development and behaviour of offspring.…”

Modern Views on the Impact of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on the Development of the Child’s Nervous System

“…Этот же фактор, по-видимому, определяет эффективность применения нутрицевтиков, содержащих ДЦПНЖК, у разных пациентов. Предполагается, что изу-чение полиморфизма генов, определяющих активность десатуразы, может дать возможность формирования более точных индивидуальных рекомендаций по дотации длинноцепочечных жирных кислот [20].…”