There is no question that omega-3 fatty acids can improve your health, but these essential fatty acids might be so helpful that they might even be effective at reducing your likelihood of developing cognitive disorders like Parkinson's disease. Omega-3 fatty acids might protect your brain from harm from certain toxins that can cause cell death.
Parkinson's Disease
To understand how omega-3 fatty acids might help reduce Parkinson's disease, you must first understand how Parkinson's progresses. Parkinson's begins when neurons inside your brain begin to die resulting in less production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that aids in movement. These cells usually are killed by toxins inside the brain. Genetics, environmental triggers or viruses might be to blame for the cellular death.
Omega-3s and Parkinson's: Mechanism One
In a study published in "Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology" in 2007, researchers claim that omega 3 fatty acids might help prevent or slow the progression of Parkinson's. Researchers infected mice with a substance known as MTPT, which induces an identical toxic effect on the brain as Parkinson's. One group of mice was given an omega-3-rich diet while another group was fed an average mouse diet. The group that was fed the omega-3 diet was immune to the toxin, while the group fed the average diet adapted Parkinson's-like symptoms including a reduction in dopamine production and neuron cell death.
Omega-3s and Parkinson's: Mechanism Two
A study conducted by the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in April 2009 found that omega-3 fatty acids can prevent mutating proteins inside the brain that might produce toxins. A gene known as the Ataxin-1 gene results in a mis-folded protein that cells cannot properly use, resulting in a toxic buildup that leads to cell death. The omega-3 fatty acid DHA helps to prevent this mutation from occurring, thus reducing the toxins and saving the cell.
Recommendations
The brain is primarily made of fat, which makes omega-3 fatty acids even more important in the diet. The study published in "Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology" mentioned above found that when mice were fed omega-3-rich diets, much of the omega-6 inside the brain was replaced with the omega-3 fatty acids. This calls to attention the importance of omega-3 in the health of the brain. Current recommendations for omega-3 fatty acids are to eat 250 mg per day. Sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fatty fish, which contains a large amount of DHA, nuts, soy and flaxseed.
References
- "Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology"; Omega 3 Fatty Acids Protect Against Parkinsons; Frederic Calon, et al.; 2007
- Science Daily; Fish Oil Protects Against Diseases Like Parkinsons; 2009
- Mayo Clinic.com; Parkinson's Disease; February 15, 2011
- Harvard School of Public Health; Omega 3 Fatty Acids; Dr. Frank Sacks
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