Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are omega-3 fatty acids which are conditionally beneficial. They function on cell membranes where they are attached to phospholipids. Cell membranes are the “pacemakers of metabolism.” Increasing the unsaturated fatty acids in the membranes improves “fluidity” of cell membranes and improves cellular functioning. This is important in such active membranes as those of the retina, brain and spermatozoa.
The standard American diet has excess omega-6 compared to omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-6 fats, which are inflammatory, are high in feed lot meat. Omega-3 levels are much higher in grass fed meat. Humans evolved on diets with an omega-6/omega-3 ration of 1:1. Our standard diet has a ratio of 15:1-17:1.
DHA and EPA are beneficial in visual development. DHA is essential for pre- and postnatal brain function. EPA influences behavior and mood. EPA and DHA help in autism, dyspraxia, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (AD/HD), dyslexia, aggression, major depression and bipolar disorder. Mental disorders which respond to DHA/EPA are depression, bipolar disease, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder and anorexia nervosa. (DHA can be converted to EPA; but, EPA is not easily converted to DHA.)
The last trimester of fetal life requires large amounts of DHA. Premature infants haven’t received a full last trimester of mother’s DHA. Breast milk and colostrum contain DHA and less EPA. Many infant formulas don’t contain DHA and EPA. Adding alpha-lenolenic acid (ALA) to the mother’s diet provides too little DHA.
Animals with reduced levels of DHA improved after DHA supplementation. Giving infants DHA or increasing maternal DHA levels improves the infant’s neuromotor development. There is an association between breastfeeding and infant motor development.
Healthy adults benefit by improved attention, mood, reaction times and reduced errors after treatment with DHA and EPA. DHA helps maintain plasticity in the adult brain. EPA and DHA benefit people with mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD.) Adults with high blood levels of DHA and EPA have a reduced risk of dementia. High cholesterol intake in a middle-aged population correlates with the risk of cognitive impairment.
Children with AD/HD typically have reduced DHA, total omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 deficiencies correlate with physical impairments. Omega-3 deficiencies are seen more with behavior problems of various kinds.
Dementia risk is reduced in people with high intakes of DHA and EPA and increased consumption of fish. People who ate one fish meal a week have a risk of AD. Elderly people with low serum phosphatidylcholine-DHA had a greatly increased risk of developing AD. People with mild AD have been shown to have slower cognitive decline when they take DHA and EPA.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who ate at least 3 meals of fish per week showed slower progression, less MS dementia and lower rates of mortality. Huntington’s disease patients are believed to improve on a combination of EPA and DHA.
Supplements which bind DHA and EPA to phospholipids, such as phosphatidylserine bound to omega-3 and krill oil (Euphausia superba) provide maximum support to cells walls. Most fish oil supplements contain little phospholipids. Krill oil contains astaxanthin, a strong antioxidant. Krill oil increases HDL cholesterol and lowers LDL cholesterol.
CONCLUSION: EPA and DHA are beneficial for the cardiovascular system and for many other systems in the body. Because of the declining supply of suitable fish, supplemental fish oil with phospholipids and krill oil are suggested.
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