Omega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat found mostly in fish and fish oil, serve a number of purposes in your body. Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels and decrease your risk of heart disease. Fatty acids are essential, meaning they aren't made in the body and must be obtained from food. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been used to treat a number of brain disorders, with mixed results.
Function
Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and play an important role in brain function and cognitive development, including memory, behavior and other cognitive functions. Omega-3 fatty acids also play a critical part in the development of the nervous system and vision during pregnancy. Several studies suggest that omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy and while breastfeeding may increase brain development in children, including improved hand-eye coordination or improved infant problem-solving skill, the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University reports, but more studies are needed.
Types
Two types of fatty acids comprise omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. Studies that have tested fatty acids on different brain functions have tested either of the two alone or both together.
Disorders
Omega-3 fatty acids have been used in studies on bipolar disorders, depression, attention deficit disorder, Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia and schizophrenia. Studies have also tested the use of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
Results
Studies testing omega-3 fatty acids for all brain disorders have shown mixed results. Several studies have shown an improvement in depression in people taking EPA or a combination of EPA and DHA, but other studies have shown no benefit. In a study of 81 people with schizophrenia who took 1.2g per day of omega-3 oil versus a control group, the omega-3 group had fewer relapses, two compared to 11 for the control group, Dr. Jim Phelps says on his website, Psych Education. Some studies have showed a benefit in bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder, while others have not. Since the amount and types of omega-3 oil given have varied considerably, it's difficult to draw definite conclusions from current studies.
Considerations
Some studies show that people with certain disorders, such as ADHD or Alzheimer's disease, may have lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids. This doesn't mean that giving supplementary fish oil to people who don't have a deficiency will help them. Adding omega-3 fatty acids to current drug regimens may help with brain disorders, such as bipolar disease. Don't stop taking physician-prescribed medications without your medical practitioner's knowledge and approval, however.
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