More memory with omega-3s, DHA improves nerve impulse transmission
Omega 3 DHA: nerve impulse is better with fish oil
Revealed the mechanisms by which DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) protects memory: this omega-3 fatty acid accumulates in the hippocampus, a region of the brain involved precisely in memory, where it is associated with increased nerve impulse transmission. Enriching one's diet with this nutrient, either by eating fish that is rich in it or by taking omega-3 supplements, could help protect the brain as it ages. Omega-3 DHA improves nerve impulse power[/caption] Coming to these conclusions were researchers at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, through a study whose findings were published in the journal Applied Physiology.
Omega 3 friends of the brain
Numerous studies have shown the brain benefits of eating fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines. Underlying these positive actions are omega-3 fatty acids in which these fish are rich. Of these, the most important for the brain is precisely DHA.
While, in fact, the other omega-3 fatty acid EPA, or eicosapentaenoic acid, is, in general, associated with reducing the risk of coronary heart disease, triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and inflammation, DHA has most often been associated with brain function. Not only that, this omega-3 is also important for the development of the nervous system and vision. A recent study showed that people with lower levels of DHA have smaller brains and perform worse on tests of visual memory, problem-solving ability, and other cognitive skills. However, prior to the publication of the Canadian researchers' study, no one had been able to formulate a hypothesis about the mechanisms underlying the action of this nutrient.
Faster brain with Omega 3
The research authors conducted experiments on mice. After feeding them a DHA-rich feed, they analyzed the amounts of the omega-3 present in the brain. The data collected showed the accumulation of DHA inhippocampal tissues. Compared with mice that had received a standard feed, those that received the enriched meals were characterized by DHA concentrations in this area of the brain that were about 29 percent higher. The next step was to test the speed of nerve impulse transmission by subjecting the hippocampus to electrical stimulation. The experiments conducted unveiled that the synapses (the points that allow the nerve impulse to pass through) of the neurons in the DHA-fed mice functioned more than observed in the other animals.
Omega-3s improve communication
These results allowed researchers to conclude that in the presence of high concentrations of DHA, memory cells in the hippocampus communicate better with each other and transmit messages better. According to experts, this phenomenon may explain why a diet rich in DHA improves memory. Not only that, since dietary-introduced DHA accumulates in the brain, eating more fish or taking Omega-3 supplements could counteract the reduction in levels of this valuable molecule during aging.
Source:
Connor S, Tenorio G, Clandinin MT, Sauvé Y, "DHA supplementation enhances high-frequency, stimulation-induced synaptic transmission in mouse hippocampus," Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2012 Oct;37(5):880-7. doi: 10.1139/h2012-062
