Omega-3 for the mind and nervous system
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6 introduced through food are essential to maintain the structure and ensure the functioning of nerve cells.
In fact, nervous tissue is second only to adipose tissue in terms of concentration of fatty acids, of which it is particularly rich. Consider that more than 60% of the brain mass is made up of these molecules.
Not only that, most of the Omega-3 in the body is located in the brain. Here the predominant fatty acid is DHA , while EPA is present in much lower concentrations.
Omega-3s, Cell Membranes and Mental Health
Within the nervous tissue, Omega-3s are concentrated at the membrane level .
DHA plays a key role in the following membranes:
- retina , which receives visual impulses and transmits them to the brain;
- synapses , points in the membrane of neurons where the passage of the nervous impulse occurs;
- mitochondria , cellular elements equipped with membranes that, even in neurons, ensure energy production.
In particular, in the synapses Omega-3 directly influence the production and release of some neurotransmitters , molecules essential for the transmission of nervous impulses.
Among these are serotonin and dopamine. In their absence, the transmission of information slows down significantly. And the health of the nervous system is the one that pays the price for any deficiencies.
When serotonin levels are low, the likelihood of depressive states or violent behavior is greater. In situations of dopamine deficiency, however, the risk of developing Parkinson's disease or attention deficit disorder, a pathology characterized by the decrease in the ability to concentrate on immediate tasks, increases.
The role of Omega-3 in therapy
Some studies suggest that high doses of fish oil , rich in omega-3 fatty acids, help maintain adequate levels of both serotonin and dopamine.
Not only that: some experiments have shown that nerve cells grown in the laboratory need these fatty acids to multiply, differentiate and capture or release neurotransmitters.
