Fatty Acid Supplementation: A Case Study

Although, it may seem that we often acquire vitamin D from the sun, and our food studies show that on estimate people are 40%-75% vitamin D deficient. “Vitamin D has exhibited multiple biological targets mediated by its nuclear hormone receptor, the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) Specific actions on target organs such as the central nervous system have been described. VDR are present in neurons and glial cells and influence a number of physiological processes in hippocampus, hypothalamus, cortex, and subcortex; all areas essential for cognition. Consistently, vitamin D status has showed links with cognitive performance as a whole, and low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations have been associated with cognitive disorders among older adults.” (Annweiler, Llewellyn, Beaucheta, 2012) Vitamin D receptors are spread widely throughout the brain tissue, and the VDR is present in numerous important parts of the brain. The hypothalamus helps maintain homeostasis and manages sleep, hunger, body temperature and many other functions, and the cortex is responsible for language and information processing functions. The hippocampus is extremely important, and is associated with memory retention, mainly in long-term memory. In a person with Alzheimer’s those specific sectors deteriorate, and over time the cognitive functions that the

The purpose of the experiment was to understand and determine the influence of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) on the spinal cord, and how the dietary Omega-3 (n-3) a fatty acid could counteract these effects. Not much is known about the effects of TBI on motor centers in the spinal cord. We are now starting to understand that TBI reduces the expression of some molecules that are critical for synaptic plasticity of the spinal cord.

It is widely accepted that omega-3 fatty acids and brain health have a positive relationship. Therefore, we wanted to analyze a diet that was high in this essential nutrient to determine its’ relationship with Alzheimer’s disease prevention. One diet in particular, the Mediterranean diet (characteristic of Greek cuisine), is

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition that affects the memory function, which is a huge public health concern among the elderly population. It has affected more than five million individuals in the United States and that number is expected to quadruple by the 2050 if interventions are not found. AD has a huge affect on the world not only by the number of deaths that it is causing but also the amount of health care costs reaching around 100 billion dollars. Because of the increase of AD throughout the globe, the aging population should consider the intake of certain vitamins and nutrients in their daily lives to possibly reduce or prevent the onset of AD.

The EPA/DHA in fish oil are critical for brain function and are anti-inflammatory. Supplementation has been shown to reduce symptoms and improve learning.

Their bodies don’t make enough ALDP. In ALD there is a deficiency in the enzyme that breaks down VLCFAs, which then accumulate in myelin and the adrenal glands. ALD is an inherited metabolic storage disease whereby a defect in a specific enzyme results in the accumulation of long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) in all tissues of the body. These VLCFA are harmful for cells and tissues. For reasons that have not yet been resolved brain, spinal cord, testis, and the adrenal glands are primarily affected. In the central nervous system the buildup of VLCFA eventually destroys the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerves causing neurologic problems. VLCFA are toxic to adrenal gland cells and their malfunction causes Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency). Though there is no actual treatment to curing ALD, there are many ways that one can lessen the progression of the life-draining disease. Because VLCFA are toxic to myelin, the adrenals and testis, several attempts were made to lower the plasma concentrations of VLCFA. Dietary restriction of VLCFA intake alone has no effect on plasma VLCFA levels. VLCFA are primarily synthesized via chain-elongation of shorter fatty acids. Addition of mono-unsaturated fatty acids to the culture medium of ALD fibroblasts reduces the VLCFA concentrations, probably by competitive inhibition of the endogenous elongation system of saturated fatty acids. This formed the basis of a dietary therapy.

Omega-3, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, has various forms; Alpha Linolenic acid (ALA), Docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DHA and EPA are essential fatty-acids meaning that our bodies are unable to endogenously synthesise them, leading us to source omega-3 enriched foods.

The brain is our essence as a human being, we rely on it for absolutely everything, it is one of the most valuable resources that we are given from the moment we exist. Our brain requires natural nutrients to survive and grow rather than shrink with age due to the Mitochondria within our brain cells being unable to provide our brain cells with enough energy to survive. As a result, all human beings should adopt a healthy lifestyle in order for the Mitochondria that works for our brain cells to function properly, this will protect our brain and allow us to continue to flourish and grow as individuals. We need to eat nutritious and all natural food that has Vitamins B, Antioxidants and Sulfur as this will help the Mitochondria thrive and as a result so will our brain.

Tein I. Impact of fatty acid oxidation disorders in child neurology: from Reye syndrome to Pandora's box. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology [Internet]. 2015 March; 57(4): 304-6 [cited 2/28/17]; Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dmcn.12717/full

Since atherosclerosis has been identified as an inflammatory disorder, there has been much interest in the effect of n-3 fatty acids on inflammation. Dietary supplementation with ALA significantly decreased inflammatory markers in a study in middle aged men. Hypotensive Effects: Although ALA is a precursor of EPA and DHA, it may have inde-pendent effects on blood pressure and blood

Also lowering the CSF F2-isoprostane levels in the E/C/ALA group reduced the oxidative stress in the brain. However, this raised the patient’s cognitive decline, which would is the opposite of what the next trail wanted to do.

As previously mentioned the brain is enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularily DHA and the omega-6 AA. While the brain can synthesize saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, it must rely on uptake of either the preformed DHA and AA or their dietary precursors, which can be converted to DHA and ARA within the brain. While the brain does have the capacity to synthsize DHA its rate of synthesis relative to uptake from the plasma is relatively low suggesting that uptake from plasma and not synthesis within the brain is the major source. Furthermore, while the liver can upregulate its ability to synthesize DHA especially under conditions of low dietary omega-3 intake, the brain does not upregulate DHA synthesis under these conditions.

The brain is the most complex organ in the human body; its mysteries rival the understandings of our solar system and continuously challenge the efforts of neuro physicians and researchers alike. This extraordinary biological structure defines our personality, controls how we move, and regulates our five senses. When the brain suffers an injury, the consequences can be devastating; affecting many important aspects of a person’s life, including permanent disability and untimely death (National Institute for Neurological Disease and Stroke, 2014). The impairment of brain tissue, from an injury or trauma, represents a serious public health problem in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control (2014).

Lightly top your salads and steamed vegetables with flaxseed oil (do not cook with flaxseed oil).

In fact, multiple brain functions are associated with DHA. (13) 97% DHA content is found in the human brain, according to one research. (16) Studies and researches postulates that Omega-3 fatty acids can prevent breast cancer (17), slow cognitive decline (18), can be a potential aid for concussion or traumatic brain injury (13), and can treat cardiovascular disease. (16) Not only Omega-3 fatty acids can improve human health but it is also have became important in the field of sports. Recent studies show that Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during exercise or training can have significant impacts in improving athletic performance. Omega -3 fatty acid supplementation can improve the neuromuscular function, cognition, immune system and cardiovascular fitness of an