The Omega-3 Nervous System Benefits



Posted: Friday, January 15, 2010

by
http://www.perciavalle.com

A new article printed in the Journal of Behavioral Neuroscience documented proof that DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fat gotten from microalgae and fish, is essential for brain cells, which use them for cell membrane material. The great neurological benefits of omega-3 fatty acids shouldn't be unbelievably surprising because docosahexaenoic acid makes up over ninety percent of the omega-3 fatty acids in the brain and is required for maintaining the cell-nerve membranes.

The scientific study indicates that omega-3 fats (specifically DHA) helps the human brain avoid "sensory overload." The scientific researchers concluded that omega-3 deficiency reduces the brain's capacity to process sensory input. Moreover, even a small reduction in brain levels of DHA can lead to losses in brain function.

This "sensory overload" is is a consequence of malfunctional sensorimotor gating. The study was done in mice, and eventually discovered that the omega-3 DHA deficient mice quite specifically were unable to adapt to stimuli as rapidly, and thus were more easily stressed by outside stimuli. Sensorimotor gating is measured specifically through the use of the startle reflex that reflex that makes you jump when you experience a sudden loud blast. Essentially, the scientists used a lighter "warning tone" to acclimate to the tone ever-so-slightly before they blasted the more startling one. The mice that benefited least from the warning tone had abnormal sensorimotor gating compared to the mice that had adequate (non-deficient) levels of omega-3. This technique is not too unlike what is actually used to test sensorimotor gating features of humans. Sensorimotor gating problems is commonly observed in in autistic spectrum disorders, and specifically people with asperger's have, in other unrelated research demonstrated abnormalities with this startle response.[1]

These findings have potential helpful applications because they linked deficiency of omega-3 fats to impairment of information-processing. Defects in sensorimotor function are notable in many diseases of the nervous system found in people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, OCD, ADHD (which is also an autistic spectrum disorder, much like asperger's), and Huntington's disease.

Reference(s):

1. McAlonan, G.M. et al. Brain anatomy and sensorimotor gating in Asperger's syndrome. Brain 125, 1594-1606 (2002).

Read more about the effects of omega on IQ and development or about how microalgae is a superior omega-3 source for vegetarians.

Of course none of this information was reviewed by the FDA, so if you're sick -- go see a doctor!

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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)
» left by JLandry
from Massachusetts 2 years 13 days ago.
Great article, I've been looking into omega-3 for adhd. This is great information for me thank you. Now it makes more sense on the way it could work.
» left by Rhotini 2 years 13 days ago.
JLandry, did you make sure to take a peak at my profile links at the bottom? One of them leads to a very, very extensive online version of my omega-3 ebook. In any event, thank you for the positive feedback! It always helps to keep me motivated for writing.
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