Abstract
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids play important roles in both the structure and communication processes of cells. Dietary deficiences of these fatty acids have been implicated in cardiac dysfunction, cancer and mood disorders. In the latter, clinical trials have strongly suggested that not all types of omega-3 PUFA are equally efficacious. In particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) appears to be the most useful in ameliorating the symptoms of major depressive disorder. The mechanism by which omega-3 PUFA have these effects, and why EPA is apparently more effective in this role than the much more abundant brain lipid docosahexaenoic acid, is unclear. The available data do suggest various biologically plausible mechanisms all of which are amenable to study using straightforward experimental approaches. To progress further, a better understanding of how EPA and other omega-3 PUFA effect neurophysiological and neurosignalling processes is required.
Highlights
Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are nutritionally important molecules normally found incorporated into either triglycerides or membrane phospholipids
The rate of conversion of alpha linolenic acid (ALA) into longer omega-3 PUFA is, rather slow and nutritional intake plays a large part in determining the abundance of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the membrane (Emken et al 1994)
An obvious explanation for the effect of EPA upon mood is that supplementation with this omega-3 PUFA corrects a relative deficiency in this fatty acid, whether caused by a metabolic insufficiency or reduced dietary intake, which has resulted in depressed mood
Summary
Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are nutritionally important molecules normally found incorporated into either triglycerides or membrane phospholipids. Emerging research has indicated that omega-3 PUFA may play a role in modulating brain function in such a way as to elevate mood and ameliorate the symptoms of depression, with a number of randomised, placebo controlled trials showing that omega-3 supplementation is beneficial (reviewed in Ross et al 2007).
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