The Role of Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) for Cognitive Function

Abstract

Abstract: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a structural component of membranes in the Central Nervous System (CNS). Docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are two long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids known as “omega-3 fatty acids” and they have beneficial effects in a variety of organs and biological processes, including growth regulation and platelet activation. Brain structure and function rely on a constant and sufficient supply of EPA and DHA. It builds up in the fetal brain mostly during the third trimester of pregnancy and continues at high rates of accumulation until the end of the second year of life. At birth the proportion of brain weight to the body weight is 70% when compared to their proportions in adults, and 15% of brain growth occurs throughout the preschool years. The majority of brain development occurs between the age of 5 and 6 years. DHA is also essential for adults to maintain optimal brain function. The Google search engine, mdpi, kva, Cambridge, Elsevier, and karger were used to conduct a literature search on DHA. DHA is found in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna, as well as mother’s milk. Meat and eggs contain low quantity of DHA. Long chain omega-3 fatty acids and DHA supplementation has shown to improve the brain cognitive performance in various studies. Keywords: Docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, central nervous system, omega-3 fatty acid, cognitive function and development.