High intake of omega-6 combined with a low intake of omega-3 associated with depression and 
neurotic behaviour in adults
In this study 116 healthy adults completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the NEO Personality Inventory--Revised (NEO-PI-R); their blood levels of DHA, EPA (omega-3) and AA (omega-6) was measured. A higher AA and AA:EPA ratio, adjusted for age, gender, and race, correlated with increased incidence of symptoms of depression, while lower EPA, and higher AA, AA:EPA ratio and AA:DHA ratio was associated with more neurotic behaviour (as measured by NEO-PI-R).
Click here to view the study abstract.
Potential benefit of omega-3 consumption in reducing total incidence of mental disorders
A cohort of 7, 903 participants was studied; omega-3 intake and fish consumption were ascertained through a validated food frequency questionnaire. After 2 years of follow-up the incidence of mental disorders (depression, anxiety, or stress) was recorded. The risk of mental disorder among subjects with a moderate consumption of fish (equivalent to 83.3 and 112 g/day) was 30% less than those consuming the least.
Click here to view the study abstract.
Meta-analysis shows significant antidepressant efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs
Ten double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients with mood disorders receiving omega-3 PUFAs for a minimum period of 4 weeks were reviewed. Pulling the results of these studies together the authors found a significant antidepressant effect of omega-3 PUFAs; omega-3 PUFAs significantly improved depression in patients with clearly defined depression and bipolar disorder, the dosage of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) did not change the antidepressant efficacy significantly. However the authors suggest caution due to the wide variation in the nature of the studies included and observed publication bias, they suggest that “more large-scale, well-controlled trials are needed to find out the favourable target subjects, therapeutic dose of EPA, and the composition of omega-3 PUFAs in treating depression.”
Click here to view the study abstract
Higher reported consumption of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids is associated with greater grey matter volume
55 healthy adults completed two 24 hour recall interviews. Unconstrained whole-brain analyses confirmed that higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids corelated with increased greater gray matter volume in specific areas of the brain (the subgenual ACC, the right hippocampus and the right amygdala) that support emotional arousal and regulation, the anticipation and reward system. This is an exciting finding that, it is to be hoped, will lead to further research.
Click here to view the study abstract
Fatty acids may affect the risk of cognitive decline
2251 subjects, participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study who were observed over 2 years, some clear associations emerged; the risk of global cognitive decline increased with high arachidonic acid (AA, omega-6) while higher n-3 HUFAs reduced the risk of decline in verbal fluency, particularly in hypertensive and dyslipidemic subjects. The authors conclude “promoting higher intakes of n-3 HUFAs in the diet of hypertensive and dyslipidemic persons may have substantial benefits in reducing their risk of cognitive decline in the area of verbal fluency. However, clinical trials are needed to confirm this finding.”
Click here to view the abstract.
Low omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and low DHA found in men with paedophilia
This study examined the serum phospholipid n-3 and n-6 PUFA fractions of twenty-seven paedophilic men and eighteen healthy volunteers. Among the paedophilic men there was a significant depletion of DHA, total omega-3 fractions and an increase in the total omega-6/omega-3 and AA/EPA ratios. The authors put forward the hypothesis that a depletion of n-3 HUFAs and DHA may cause alterations in the turnover of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is related to impulsive and aggressive behaviour, which are associated with paedophilia. This fascinating study seem to suggest that fatty acid abnormalities may be part of the aetiology of paedophilia.
Click here to view the abstract
Administration of omega-3 fatty acids may benefit patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease
A randomised, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to investigate the potential benefits of increasing omega-3 consumption among patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). 174 AD patients, whose conditions were stable while receiving acetylcholine esterase inhibitor treatment and who had a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 15 points or more, were randomised to daily intake of 1.7 g of DHA and 0.6 g of EPA or placebo for 6 months, after which all received omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for 6 months more. In a subgroup of 32 patients with very mild cognitive dysfunction (MMSE >27 points), a significant reduction in MMSE decline rate was observed in the omega-3 fatty acid-treated group compared with the placebo group. This exciting finding suggests that administering fatty acids at the early stages of cognitive decline may help prevent further decline.
Click here to view the abstract.
High blood DHA levels are associated with a reduced risk of dementia
899 healthy men and women, with a mean age of 76 years, were observed over a period of nine years on average, incidence of all cause dementia including Alzheimer’ disease, was recorded. After accounting for factors known to affect the risk of developing dementia (age, sex, the apolipoprotein E gene, education ect ), participants with the highest baseline levels of DHA in blood, and an average fish intake of 3 servings weekly, had a 47% reduced risk of developing dementia. This confirms earlier work and graphically emphasises the importance of omega- consumption to brain health.
Click here to view the abstract.
Essential fatty acid supplementation can improve cognitive function due to aging or organic brain damage
An age-related increase of peroxidation of membrane fatty acids such as AA and DHA in neurons has been associated with cognitive decline. In this study patients, 21 with mild cognitive dysfunction, 10 with organic brain lesions and 8 with Alzheimer’s disease. Cognitive function was evaluated before and 90 days after the administration of a daily dose of 240 mg/day of AA and DHA, or 240 mg/day of olive oil, respectively. Those patients with mild dysfunction receiving active treatment experienced significant improvement in short-term memory and attention, those with brain lesions receiving treatment experienced significant improvement in immediate and delayed memory.
Click here to view the abstract.
High intake of omega-6 combined with a low intake of omega-3 associated with depression and neurotic behaviour in adults
In this study 116 healthy adults completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the NEO Personality Inventory--Revised (NEO-PI-R); their blood levels of DHA, EPA (omega-3) and AA (omega-6) was measured. A higher AA and AA:EPA ratio, adjusted for age, gender, and race, correlated with increased incidence of symptoms of depression, while lower EPA, and higher AA, AA:EPA ratio and AA:DHA ratio was associated with more neurotic behaviour (as measured by NEO-PI-R).
Click here to view the study abstract.
Potential benefit of omega-3 consumption in reducing total incidence of mental disorders
A cohort of 7, 903 participants was studied; omega-3 intake and fish consumption were ascertained through a validated food frequency questionnaire. After 2 years of follow-up the incidence of mental disorders (depression, anxiety, or stress) was recorded. The risk of mental disorder among subjects with a moderate consumption of fish (equivalent to 83.3 and 112 g/day) was 30% less than those consuming the least.
Click here to view the study abstract.
Meta-analysis shows significant antidepressant efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs
Ten double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients with mood disorders receiving omega-3 PUFAs for a minimum period of 4 weeks were reviewed. Pulling the results of these studies together the authors found a significant antidepressant effect of omega-3 PUFAs; omega-3 PUFAs significantly improved depression in patients with clearly defined depression and bipolar disorder, the dosage of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) did not change the antidepressant efficacy significantly. However the authors suggest caution due to the wide variation in the nature of the studies included and observed publication bias, they suggest that “more large-scale, well-controlled trials are needed to find out the favourable target subjects, therapeutic dose of EPA, and the composition of omega-3 PUFAs in treating depression.”
Click here to view the study abstract
Higher reported consumption of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids is associated with greater grey matter volume
55 healthy adults completed two 24 hour recall interviews. Unconstrained whole-brain analyses confirmed that higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids corelated with increased greater gray matter volume in specific areas of the brain (the subgenual ACC, the right hippocampus and the right amygdala) that support emotional arousal and regulation, the anticipation and reward system. This is an exciting finding that, it is to be hoped, will lead to further research.
Click here to view the study abstract
Fatty acids may affect the risk of cognitive decline
2251 subjects, participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study who were observed over 2 years, some clear associations emerged; the risk of global cognitive decline increased with high arachidonic acid (AA, omega-6) while higher n-3 HUFAs reduced the risk of decline in verbal fluency, particularly in hypertensive and dyslipidemic subjects. The authors conclude “promoting higher intakes of n-3 HUFAs in the diet of hypertensive and dyslipidemic persons may have substantial benefits in reducing their risk of cognitive decline in the area of verbal fluency. However, clinical trials are needed to confirm this finding.”
Click here to view the abstract.
Low omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and low DHA found in men with paedophilia
This study examined the serum phospholipid n-3 and n-6 PUFA fractions of twenty-seven paedophilic men and eighteen healthy volunteers. Among the paedophilic men there was a significant depletion of DHA, total omega-3 fractions and an increase in the total omega-6/omega-3 and AA/EPA ratios. The authors put forward the hypothesis that a depletion of n-3 HUFAs and DHA may cause alterations in the turnover of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is related to impulsive and aggressive behaviour, which are associated with paedophilia. This fascinating study seem to suggest that fatty acid abnormalities may be part of the aetiology of paedophilia.
Click here to view the abstract
Administration of omega-3 fatty acids may benefit patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease
A randomised, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to investigate the potential benefits of increasing omega-3 consumption among patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). 174 AD patients, whose conditions were stable while receiving acetylcholine esterase inhibitor treatment and who had a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 15 points or more, were randomised to daily intake of 1.7 g of DHA and 0.6 g of EPA or placebo for 6 months, after which all received omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for 6 months more. In a subgroup of 32 patients with very mild cognitive dysfunction (MMSE >27 points), a significant reduction in MMSE decline rate was observed in the omega-3 fatty acid-treated group compared with the placebo group. This exciting finding suggests that administering fatty acids at the early stages of cognitive decline may help prevent further decline.
Click here to view the abstract.
High blood DHA levels are associated with a reduced risk of dementia
899 healthy men and women, with a mean age of 76 years, were observed over a period of nine years on average, incidence of all cause dementia including Alzheimer’ disease, was recorded. After accounting for factors known to affect the risk of developing dementia (age, sex, the apolipoprotein E gene, education ect ), participants with the highest baseline levels of DHA in blood, and an average fish intake of 3 servings weekly, had a 47% reduced risk of developing dementia. This confirms earlier work and graphically emphasises the importance of omega- consumption to brain health.
Click here to view the abstract.
Essential fatty acid supplementation can improve cognitive function due to aging or organic brain damage
An age-related increase of peroxidation of membrane fatty acids such as AA and DHA in neurons has been associated with cognitive decline. In this study patients, 21 with mild cognitive dysfunction, 10 with organic brain lesions and 8 with Alzheimer’s disease. Cognitive function was evaluated before and 90 days after the administration of a daily dose of 240 mg/day of AA and DHA, or 240 mg/day of olive oil, respectively. Those patients with mild dysfunction receiving active treatment experienced significant improvement in short-term memory and attention, those with brain lesions receiving treatment experienced significant improvement in immediate and delayed memory.
Click here to view the abstract.