Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Brain and Neurological Health by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Elsevier Science
Published: 2014-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Alzheimer’s Disease

Gaurav Paul and Ronald Ross Watson

Omega-3 fatty acids are known to have health benefits and can possibly be used to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease, which affects the brain, is commonly known as the worst form of dementia. The disease progresses till death and, as yet, there is no cure. It is usually diagnosed in people that are over 65 years of age. Although many studies have not proven to be successful, with no data that shows that consuming omega-3 fatty acids will prevent Alzheimer’s disease, there has not been any conclusive negative evidence. It is also thought that there is some correlation between Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes. A deficiency of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which can lead to brain impairment and plays a role in Alzheimer’s disease, also leads to dysfunctional glucose metabolism. This means the pancreas will either have trouble making insulin or storing glucose, which thereby leads to diabetes. This impaired insulin signaling is caused by hyperphosphorylation of the tau protein, and also causes the neurofibrillary tangles that are seen in Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, by looking at the direct correlation between Alzheimer’s disease and the mechanics behind what goes wrong in the human body when someone is diagnosed with the disease, as well as the possible connection between Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes, omega-3 could be used as a method of prevention.

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