Nutrition and Behaviour: The Role of ω3 Fatty Acids

Abstract

This review article gathers evidence on the potential relationship between dietary intake of 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( 3 PUFAs) and mental function. Several pieces of evidence that 3 PUFAs influence affective and cognitive function are presented.Although published data and results available in the field remain limited and sometimes ambiguous, they have shed a new light on the role of proper diet in general, 3 PUFAs in particular, in many mental disorders and dysfunctions, including depression and cognitive decline in aging. The analysis of the influence of fatty acids on human health allows us to formulate a new, more holistic approach to both prevention and treatment of psychological disorders and dysfunctions. What is more, it appears that 3 PUFAs have a beneficial influence on mental function in healthy people as well.The currently available data concerning the influence of fatty acids on behaviour and mental function are still insufficient and suffer so far from lack of standard determination of background, intermediairy and endpoint omega-6/3 ratios in plasma lipids of patients involved in both epidemiological and intervention studies. There is a great need for further refined trials in the field.

Association of Western Diet and Lifestyle with Circadian Hyperamplitude Tension and Mesor Hypertension Measured by Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

“…Ecphasia was diagnosed, when the circadian acrophase is outside the 90% prediction limits of peers. All 3 conditions are associated with a large increase in cardiovascular risk, as are an increase in pulse pressure [4,[24][25][26].…”

“…Omega-3 fatty acids can also modulate heart rate variability which is controlled by sympathetic and parasympathetic activity [1]. The Columbus Concept and The Tsim Tsoum concept places emphasis on such interactions of mind, brain and various organs of the body in relation to dietary n-3 fatty acids and other nutrients as well as other environmental factors [1,[20][21][22][23][24][25]. Further studies indicate that flavone containing foods; tea, cocoa, grapes, apple, beans can decrease blood pressures, endothelial dysfunction and insulin resistance due to their antioxidant, antiinflammatory and nitric oxide activating effects [23].…”

Can High w-6/w-3 Ratio of Fatty Acids in the Neuronal Cell Membrane Phospholipids Predispose Fear Behaviour?

“…This finding appears to be one of the first neuron-level pathways for emotion ever identified. However, it could have been more interesting to find out biochemical abnormalities related to fatty acid content of neurons which are important in the pathobiology of neuropsychiatric dysfunctions [1][2][3][4][5][6]9].There may be interesting implications of these results in the management of fear and anxiety, which are important manifestations of depression [1]. It is possible that targeting genetically identified population of neuronal cells with a drug could be more effective than general drug administration.…”

“…Besides, an increased consumption of linoleic acid (C18:2 6), saturated fat and trans-unsaturated fats, refined carbohydrates, may be pro-inflammatory leading to increased tissue levels of activating protein-1 (AP-1) and early growth response protein-1 (EGRP-1), which are transcription factors for pro-inflammatory cytokines [1][2][3][4][5][6]. These cytokines appear to be positively associated with mood, depression and type-A behaviour and also possibly with fear reaction particularly in patients with depression.…”

“…These cytokines appear to be positively associated with mood, depression and type-A behaviour and also possibly with fear reaction particularly in patients with depression. Omega-6 fatty acids have adverse effects on all the proinfammatory cytokines as well as on neurotransmitters responsible for memory function, mood and behaviour [1][2][3][4][5]. The brain contains high concentrations of 3 PUFAs and several studies suggest a role for 3 PUFAs in neurotransmitter synthesis, degradation, release, reuptake and binding [4][5][6].…”