dementia prevention and essential fatty acids

[Guest guest]

We know essential fatty acids are important, but I thought I'd share this now that I found it (it mentions brainal AA as well as DHA, EPA.)

From HSTAT:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=hstat1a.section.85321

Physiological Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Brain

About 50 to 60 percent of the dry weight portion of the human brain consists of lipids. PUFAs constitute approximately 35 percent of that lipid content.

10 Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, play important roles in the development and maintenance of normal central nervous system (CNS) structure and function. Along with the omega-6 fatty acid, AA, DHA is a major constituent of neuronal membranes, making up about 20 percent of the brain's dry weight.

11 Synapses contain a high concentration of DHA, which appears to play a role in synaptic signal transduction.

12 The metabolic pathways of the essential fatty acids that play an important role in neuronal signal transduction are schematically illustrated in Figure 1.2. Release of these fatty acids is involved in the phospholipase A2 cycle following activation of various neurotransmitter receptors. DHA is also important for normal cognitive development. 13 In addition, the anti-inflammatory compounds for which DHA is a precursor may function in the brain to protect against ischemic damage. PUFAs in general play important roles in structural and functional maintenance of neuronal membranes, neurotransmission, and eicosanoid biosynthesis,

10,

14 as well as in the maintenance of membrane fluidity and flexibility and in the modulation of ion channels, receptors, and ATPases. The importance of PUFAs in maintenance of adequate membrane rigidity is evidenced by the loss of fluidity that follows decreased in PUFAs, 15, 16 leading to changes in the orientation and function of receptors and ion channels, such as calcium and sodium channels. 16

Work in animal models has reported superior learning and memory in animals fed omega-3 fatty acids compared with control animals.

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18 In transgenic mouse models, dietary DHA improved memory, increased synapse density and decreased amyloid beta toxicity, thus providing evidence of protection against AD and cognitive decline.

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20

It is my belief that not all people make EPA or DHA and maybe not in the amount needed. Also the conversion is slow.

Just my take.

Regards.