Docosahexaenoic acid adults

It is well established that dietary (n-6) and (n-3) LCP modulate Thl and Th2 immune cell responses generation in the adult (Calder and Grimble, 2002). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) constitute a relatively small fraction of the total fatty acids in human breast milk, but have recently been suggested to participate in immime development... 

Leifert WR, Jahangiri A, McMurchie EJ. Membrane fluidity changes are associated with the antiarrhythmic effects of docosahexaenoic acid in adult rat cardiomy-ocytes. J Nutr Biochem. 2000 I 1 38—44. 

Buckley, R., Shewring, B., Turner, R., Yaqoob, P., and Minihane, A. M. 2004. Circulating triacylglycerol and apoE levels in response to EPA and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in adult human subjects. Brit. J. Nutri., 92,477—483. 

Hamazaki, T., Sawazaki, S., Itomura, M., Asaoka, E., Nagao, Y., Nishimura, N., Yazawa, K., Kuwamori, T. and Kobayashi, M. (1996). The effects of docosahexaenoic acid on aggression in young adults a placebo-controlled, double-blind study. J. Clin. Invest. 97 1129-1133. 

Omega-3 PUFAs are essential unsaturated fatty acids obtained from food sources or from supplements. Amongst nutritionally important polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids, a-linolcnic acid (ALA), eicosapentae-noic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are highly concentrated in the brain and have antioxidative stress, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. The exposure to n-3 fatty acids enhances adult hippocampal neurogenesis associated with cognitive and behavioral processes, promotes synaptic plasticity by increasing longterm potentiation, and modulates synaptic protein expression to stimulate the dendritic arborization and new spine formation [496]. 

If sufficient scientific evidence is not available to calculate an Estimated Average Requirement, a reference intake called an Adequate Intake (Al) is used instead of a Recommended Dietary Allowance. The Al is a value based on experimentally derived intake levels or approximations of observed mean nutrient intakes by a group (or groups) of healthy people. The Al for children and adults is expected to meet or exceed the amount needed to maintain a defined nutritional state or criterion of adequacy in essentially all members of a specific healthy population LA = linoleic acid LNA = n-linolenic acid DHA = docosahexaenoic acid EPA = eicosapentaenoic acid TRANS-EA = trans fatty acids SAT = saturated fatty acids MONOs = monounsaturated fatty acids. 

Suzuki H, Manabe S, Wada O, Crawford MA. Rapid incorporation of docosahexaenoic acid from dietary sources into brain microsomal, synaptosomal and mitochondrial membranes in adult mice. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 1997 67 272-278. 

Bourre JM, Dumont O, Pascal G, Durand G. Dietary alpha-linolenic acid at 1.3 g/kg maintains maximal docosahexaenoic acid concentration in brain, heart and hver of adult rats. J Nutr 1993 123(7) 1313-1319. 

GersterH. Can adults adequately convert alpha-linolenic icid (18 3n-3) to eicosapentaenoic acid (20 5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (22 6n-3) Int J Vitam Nutr Res 1998 68(3) 159-173. 

The experimental study of FA deficit has been characterized by investigations that utilize food deprivation or restrictions on nutritional intake, and by designs that have provided for dietary supplementation of the FA and/or their metaboUtes (especially DHA and its precursors EPA and LNA). Metabolic studies continue to address many of the unexplained complexities associated with the behavior performance observations in the laboratory. Among the questions of interest are How do the EFAs get into the brain and other organs What is the basis for the apparent selectivity of various organs, cells, and subcellular organelles for particular lipids and FA Why is DHA (docosahexaenoic acid 22 6n-3) concentrated in the brain How can the adult brain maintain its DHA even when there is little support in the diet How much can the metabolism of the precursors of DHA (e.g., LNA, EPA, etc.) support DHA composition in the brain in comparison to the incorporation of preformed DHA taken in the diet In addition to their basic science value, these issues have practical implications for public health policy, such as the design of infant formulas. 

Innis, SM., and Hansen, J.W. (1996) Plasma Fatty Acid Responses, Metabolic Effects, and Safety of Microalgal and Fungal Oils Rich in Arachidonic and Docosahexaenoic Acids in Healthy Adults, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 64,159-167. 

A specific deficiency of docosahexaenoic acid (C22 6n-3 DHA) has been noted in some children with TCHAD, TFP, and VLCAD deficiency [14, 35, 38]. DHA is an essential component of cell membranes and is necessary for normal retinal and brain function. Whether the cause of the DHA deficiency is related to the low-fat diet or to poor synthesis of DHA from its precursor a-linolenic acid is not known. Supplementing children with TCHAD, TFP, and VTCAD deficiency with preformed DHA (60 mg/day for children less than 20 kg 100 mg/day for patients >20 kg 100-200 mg/ day for adults) should normalize plasma DHA levels and may slow progression of pigmentary retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy in TCHAD/TFP deficiency [15, 39, 40]. DHA supplements derived from algae rather than fish oils provide good amounts of DHA without other fatty acids. 

Gerster, H (1998) Can adults adequately convert a-linolenic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid Int. J. Vit. Nutr. Res., 68, 159-173. 

Sheaff Greiner RC, Zhang Q, Goodman KJ, Giussani DA, Nathanielsz PW, Brenna JT. Linoleate, alpha-linolenate, and docosahexaenoate recycling into saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids is a major pathway in pregnant or lactating adults and fetal or infant rhesus monkeys. J Lipid Res 1996 37(12) 2675-2686. 

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