Aggression and behavioral disorders, help from the omega-3 and vitamin D combo
Behavioral disorders: the omega-3 and vitamin D combo is a winning help
The combination of Omega 3 and vitamin D would improve cognitive function and social behavior, thanks to the regulation of serotonin levels. The synergistic action of the two nutrients could help fight schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and attention deficit disorder (ADHD).
This is hypothesized by Bruce Ames and Rhonda Patrick of the Hospital Oakland Research Institute in California (USA), in a study published last month in the journal FASEB Journal.
Serotonin: the hormone that influences mood
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates a wide range of brain functions. Its deficiency is associated with behavioral, neuropsychiatric disorders, and depression. According to researchers, low serotonin levels in normal individuals are linked to antisocial behavior, uncontrolled aggression, and self-harm.
Many studies in recent years have established that omega-3 EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and vitamin D could be useful in improving cognitive function and behavior, but have not clarified the exact mechanisms behind these benefits.
Omega-3 and Vitamin D can regulate serotonin levels
Researchers have suggested that Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D together can maintain optimal serotonin levels in the brain. The first part of this study highlighted that adequate vitamin D levels are necessary for serotonin production in the brain; in a second part, Ames and Patrick extended their research to omega-3s and their role in ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and impulsive behavior.
The synergistic action of the two substances can thus be partly explained by their effects on the serotonin system: vitamin D regulates its synthesis, EPA influences its release, and DHA by increasing the fluidity of cell membranes in neurons on which the hormone acts, enhances receptor accessibility. The authors also hypothesize that mental illnesses are less common among women due to the protective effect of estrogens, which increase serotonin synthesis.
Furthermore, confirming their hypothesis, Ames recalls that individuals with mental illnesses are often deficient in micronutrients, particularly vitamin D and Omega-3. According to Ames, this could explain why supplements of these micronutrients have been effective in treating symptoms associated with ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, impulsive behavior, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
A future therapeutic treatment?
According to the researchers, vitamin D and omega-3 supplements could represent an interesting addition to current therapies, which often have negative side effects. Serotonin itself, when administered alone, causes anxiety, nausea, and blurred vision. However, further clinical studies are needed to determine the optimal doses of vitamin D, EPA, and DHA for each specific condition.
In any case, promoting supplementation with these nutrients could have great value due to their widespread deficiency in the population, the researchers argue. To stay always updated on the latest scientific research news about Omega-3, subscribe to our newsletter.
Source: Rhonda P. Patrick and Bruce N. Ames. "Vitamin D and the omega-3 fatty acids control serotonin synthesis and action, part 2: relevance for ADHD, bipolar, schizophrenia, and impulsive behavior" The FASEB Journal Published online ahead of print February 24, 2015, doi: 10.1096/fj.14-268342.
