Omega-3 fatty acids and depression in adolescents

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Dr. Jonathan

Imbalances or deficiencies in essential fatty acids which are critical brain components can contribute to depression and neurological disorders. A study just published online in the journal Acta Pædiatrica delineates the decisive difference they make in adolescents. The authors set out to…

“…study the relationship between polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) status and depression in adolescents with eating disorders (ED) and weight loss.”

They measured essential fatty acids (FA) in the red blood cell membranes of 217 adolescents with eating disorders. As the clinicians reading this know, erythrocyte fatty acids also reflect the fatty acid status of the brain. The study subjects were also examined for depression by clinical interviews and psychological self-report instruments. A clear-cut picture emerged from the data:

“Adolescents with ED and depression did not differ from those with ED only in terms of age, BMI, weight loss and duration of disease. In their FA profile depressed adolescents had lower proportions of eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA), the end products of the ω3 PUFA series. The ratio of long chain (>18 carbons) ω6/ω3 PUFA was therefore higher in depressed adolescents. Indices of desaturase activites did not differ between depressed and not depressed adolescents.”

In other words, the only difference among the factors examined in this study between the adolescents with and without depression was their essential fatty acid status. Thus the authors conclude:

“Low ω3 status is related to depression in adolescents with ED. This cannot be explained by differences in weight (loss) and duration of disease, nor by differences in PUFA processing by desaturases. Data suggest a lower dietary intake of ω3 PUFA in those with depression. Further investigations should determine whether ω3 PUFA status improves by refeeding only or whether supplementation with PUFA is warranted.”

See also the Parents’ Guide To Brain Health for additional evidence of the role of fatty acids, along with information on the other important aspects.

DHA supplementation improves frontal brain activation and attention

Posted on June 4, 2010 by Dr. Jonathan

Am Journal Clin Nutrition This study recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition provides more evidence for the importance of essential fatty acids for brain function. In this case the authors are interested in the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation on prefrontal cortex regulation of attention.

“Emerging evidence suggests that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n–3)…positively regulates cortical metabolic function and cognitive development…The objective was to determine the effects of DHA supplementation on functional cortical activity during sustained attention in human subjects.”

After giving the randomly assigned test cohort DHA supplements they compared cortical activation patterns during sustained attention with those given placebo by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

What did their data show?

“At 8 wk, erythrocyte [red blood cell] membrane DHA composition increased significantly from baseline in subjects who received low-dose (by 47%) or high-dose (by 70%) DHA but not in those who received placebo (–11%). During sustained attention, both DHA dose groups had significantly greater changes from baseline in activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex than did the placebo group…The erythrocyte DHA composition was positively correlated with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activation…”

That last phrase is especially important: DHA is not the only fatty acid that is important for neuronal (brain cell) function. EPA, arachadonic acid and others also play important roles. How do we know with certainty whether someone needs supplementation, which fatty acid should it be, and how much? The Essential Fatty Acid Profile measures the red blood cell membrane content of fatty acids (and is equivalent to the neuronal membrane composition) that we use is the lab technology used by these investigators.

The authors’ conclusion:

“Dietary DHA intake and associated elevations in erythrocyte DHA composition are associated with alterations in functional activity in cortical attention networks during sustained attention in healthy boys.”

For any brain-related disorder we need to objectively answer the questions “What is the brain fatty acid composition? Are there any deficiencies or imbalances? Is supplementation indicated?” When needed, the correct fatty acid supplementation can result in dramatic improvements.

Essential fatty acids improve dry eye syndrome

Posted on January 15, 2010 by Dr. Jonathan

Here is a paper just published in the journal Contact Lens & Anterior Eye that analyzed a number of available studies on the use of omega-3 essential fatty acids in the treatment of dry eye syndrome. The authors note: “Omega-3 supplementation has an anti-inflammatory effect, inhibiting creation of omega-6 prostaglandin precursors. Omega-3 EFAs also demonstrate anti-inflammatory action in the lacrimal gland preventing apoptosis of the secretory epithelial cells. Supplementation clears meibomitis, allowing a thinner, more elastic lipid layer to protect the tear film and cornea.” The conclude: “Evidence suggests that supplementation with omega-3 EFA may be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of DES [dry eye syndrome].”

ADHD and essential fatty acids

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Dr. Jonathan

The journal Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids published an important paper earlier this year that clarifies why there have been conflicting results in earlier studies on the use of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of ADHD. The authors demonstrated that EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid) were each associated with a different type of response in different areas of the brain. This is a good example of the importance of the functional medicine approach that investigates the details of underlying causes and customizes treatment for the individual. The authors state “These findings indicate that EPA and DHA may be involved in distinct aspects of affect processing in ADHD and have implications for understanding currently inconsistent findings in the literature on EFA supplementation in ADHD and depression.” Lapis Light patients already know about the importance of objectively measuring essential fatty acids with the proper blood test for neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.