A recent study published in the Journal of Neuroscience states
that people who eat significant amounts of the Omega-3 fatty acid
docosahexanoic acid (DHA) may be less likely to get Alzheimer's
disease. Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia in
the elderly and afflicts an estimated 4.5 million people in the
US alone.
The study detailed that mice fed a diet rich in DHA had less
beta-amyloid, a protein that causes plaques in the brains of
Alzheimer's patients, than mice on a normal diet.
Total amyloid was cut by 70 per cent in mice on the DHA-rich diet
compared with those on another diet, said the researchers, while
brain plaques were reduced by 40.3 per cent.
"These results suggest that dietary DHA could be protective
against beta-amyloid production, accumulation, and potential
downstream toxicity," write the researchers from the University
of California at Los Angeles.
These results tie in with a wealth of other data being published,
linking the benefits of DHA with brain health. The scientific
evidence supporting the benefits of DHA is now overwhelming.
DHA is essential for optimal brain development and function at
every stage of life. The human brain is composed of over 60
percent fat with its most abundant fat being docosahexaenoic acid
(DHA). Scientists have discovered a link between low levels of
DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid and reduced visual, learning and
behavioral function.
Today the average Americans diet is estimated to be 100 mg lower
in DHA than it was 50 years ago. In fact, our nation has one of
the lowest DHA levels in the world. Vegetarians and individuals
on low-fat diets are particularly vulnerable to having a lower
DHA level.
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Low levels of DHA have been correlated with changes in
disposition, memory loss, and visual and other neurological
conditions. This decline in the consumption of DHA has also led
to an unhealthy imbalance between omega-3 fatty acids and the
more plentiful omega-6 fatty acids.
Fish are high in DHA because they consume microalgae, its
original source. DHA is a major component of fish oil. It is a
long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) of the n-3 or
omega-3 type. It has been combined with EPA in Fish Oil or Omega
3 and supplements are available in drug and health food stores.
However, not all Fish Oil or Omega 3 products will provide you
with DHA. This is because these essential fatty acids are not
present in many Omega 3 products. For example, ground flax seed
is an excellent oil for certain uses and contains Omega 3's but
does not actually contain any DHA or EPA at all. Your body will
convert the flaxseed oil into DHA, though not very efficiently.
It is estimated that most adults would have to consume 10 - 40
grams of flaxseed oil to produce just 0.2 grams of DHA. It is
also important to understand that many fish oils on the market
are low in DHA. A typical level is 12% DHA and 18% EPA.
Therefore, it is important to find a source of fish oil that is
high in DHA or alternatively be prepared to take much higher
doses of conventional fish oil.
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If you are a vegetarian there is now a vegetarian source of DHA
available. The product name is Neuromins DHA. Unlike fish oils;
Neuromins DHA does not contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
Neuromins DHA is extracted under tightly controlled manufacturing
conditions and is free of chemical pollutants that may be present
in some fish oils.
Many fish oils on the market today are from questionable sources
and some have high levels of heavy metals or other contaminants
such as PCB's. To ensure that you don't ingest these
contaminants, either use oils which have been molecularly
distilled, or are from impeccable sources with a reliable
certificate of analysis.
We know Alzheimer's disease, the pathology, begins many, many
years before the symptoms. We ought to be thinking about the
health of our brain the same way we think about the health of our
heart.
2005 Christopher Stewart
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