WHAT CAUSES DEFICIENCY IN DHA?
The OMEGA-3 fat molecules contain unsaturated chemical bonds that hold the individual carbon atoms together. The fact that the bonds are unsaturated means that they are flexible, which is important for biological activity. Unfortunately, these bonds are choice targets for free-radical attack. Once oxidized by a free radical, the OMEGA-3 is inactivated. As we age, these oxidation events become more common due to an age-associated increase in free-radical production. The result is a depletion of the OMEGA-3’s with age. Additional evidence for free-radical involvement in DHA/EPA loss comes from the studies showing that patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) have a significant increase in free-radical oxidation. Brain tissue from these patients typically is deficient in DHA.
WHY WOULD DHA DEFICIENCY CAUSE IMPAIRED MENTAL FUNCTION?
An answer to this question is not yet available, but recent research with animals has led to some hypotheses. First, DHA decreases in quantity with age. This change parallels an increase in the incident of neurodegenerative disease, including AD.
Another association with a decrease in DHA/EPA is a parallel increase in the quantity of beta amyloid protein, a protein toxic to our nervous tissues. However, an even more impressive change, is a loss of structures known as synaptic vesicles. These are little sacs at the ends of neurons that contain specific neurotransmitters required for nerve transmission. Most of the brain’s energy to be synthesized is stored in discrete packets (synaptic vesicles). The synaptic vesicles contain DHA. It is quite possible that depletion in this fatty acid prevents synaptic vesicle synthesis; and, therefore, results in a sharp reduction in neurotransmission. This latter event may precede, and be responsible for, the subsequent over-production of the nerve-toxic amyloid beta protein.
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Therefore, insufficient DHA acid may be a key element in age associated loss of mental acuity. Supplementing with Omega-3 fatty acids may help attenuate this effect. For additional methods to increase brain function and help prevent the destruction of this important organ.
