Event Title
Medical Significance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Brain Health
Start Date
31-10-2013 11:00 AM
Description
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3) are essential for brain growth and development. They play an important role throughout life, as critical modulators of neuronal function, regulation of neuroinflammatory and oxidative stress-mediated mechanisms in the normal central nervous system. Inadequate levels of DHA in brain during development and old age induce cognitive deficits such as memory loss and learning disability in experimental animals. Recent findings that EPA and DHA-derived lipid mediator resolvins and protectins/neuroprotectins regulate immune systems by modulating signal transduction processes associated with neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. EPA-derived E-series resolvins and DHA-derived D-series resolvins have potent anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution properties. They reduce excessive inflammatory responses and promote resolution by enhancing clearance of apoptotic cells and debris from inflamed brain tissue. These actions may underlie the beneficial effects of EPA and DHA in human brain health by retarding neurotraumatic and neurodegenerative diseases. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids of linoleic and arachidonic acids upregulate both eicosanoids and proinflammatory cytokine production. DHA and EPA are anti-inflammatory while excess linoleic and arachidonic acids (n-6) are proinflammatory and cytotoxic. An adequate ratio (5-10) of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids in diets may promote a healthier balance between n-6-and n-3 PUFA-derived lipid mediators, which may maintain optimal neural function and trigger resolution of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Medical Significance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Brain Health
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3) are essential for brain growth and development. They play an important role throughout life, as critical modulators of neuronal function, regulation of neuroinflammatory and oxidative stress-mediated mechanisms in the normal central nervous system. Inadequate levels of DHA in brain during development and old age induce cognitive deficits such as memory loss and learning disability in experimental animals. Recent findings that EPA and DHA-derived lipid mediator resolvins and protectins/neuroprotectins regulate immune systems by modulating signal transduction processes associated with neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. EPA-derived E-series resolvins and DHA-derived D-series resolvins have potent anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution properties. They reduce excessive inflammatory responses and promote resolution by enhancing clearance of apoptotic cells and debris from inflamed brain tissue. These actions may underlie the beneficial effects of EPA and DHA in human brain health by retarding neurotraumatic and neurodegenerative diseases. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids of linoleic and arachidonic acids upregulate both eicosanoids and proinflammatory cytokine production. DHA and EPA are anti-inflammatory while excess linoleic and arachidonic acids (n-6) are proinflammatory and cytotoxic. An adequate ratio (5-10) of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids in diets may promote a healthier balance between n-6-and n-3 PUFA-derived lipid mediators, which may maintain optimal neural function and trigger resolution of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.