Essential fatty acids and the brain

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids as they cannot be synthesised by humans.

Nutritionally EPA and DHA are the most important fatty acids belonging the omega-3 fatty acid group. The principal source of EPA and DHA for human consumption is marine fatty fish such as salmon, sardines and herring. And indeed, many of you are currently taking a fish oil supplement.

These long-chain omega-3 fatty acids provide significant health benefits to humans. They are anti-inflammatory, support healthy heart function, brain health and cognitive function. They also support a calm nervous system and healthy foetal brain development. No wonder they are considered essential!

However, for vegetarian and vegans eating fish is not an option and many also are disinclined to take fish oil capsules. So how does this increasingly large percentage of the human population obtain sufficient EPA and DHA?

Fortunately, microalgae are by far the most abundant producers of omega-3s that are found in most aquatic systems. Algal oil is an excellent alternative source of EPA and DHA for those who do not wish to consume fish products and algae-rich EFAs exert the same therapeutic benefits as EPA and DHA derived from traditional fish oil.

As mentioned above DHA in particular is required by the brain, nervous system and cognitive health.

The brain is comprised of almost 60 per cent fat and as we now know, fatty acids are among the most crucial molecules to determine the brain’s integrity and ability to perform. DHA is integral to the neural membrane phospholipid composition of the brain, retina and neural tissues, making DHA an essential prescription for those affected by memory or vision-related conditions. Both EPA and DHA have been shown to improve cognitive function while EFAs have been shown to regulate mood.

DHA is also critical for brain growth, which is especially rapid from the third trimester of pregnancy until 18 months after birth. DHA is conferred to infants via the placenta and breastfeeding, however human milk levels of DHA have shown variations relating to maternal dietary DHA intake.

Most algal oil supplements are derived from Schizochytrium algae. However as with fish oil supplements it is crucial to ensure the oil is derived from algae grown under closed and controlled conditions ensuring the algae are not exposed to environmental contaminants sadly present in many of the world’s oceans. All final products should also be screened for heavy metals (cadmium, mercury, lead and arsenic) and oxidisation ensuring purity levels that should exceed TGA standards.

As many of you are aware, most practitioner-only products would meet these requirements.