Nutritional and Health Benefits of Marine Mollusks
Se-Kwon Kim in Marine Biochemistry, 2023
The docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was described as the chief n-3 fatty acid within the brain and the retina since it ensures a central role in neural functions (Zhukova 2019). This fatty acid displays neuroprotective properties and constitutes a potential treatment against a variety of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders (Zhukova 2019). Its completely beneficial effect in preventing or mitigating age-related cognitive decline was proved by a clinical study. The DHA, as well as all the n-3 LC-PUFAs, deploys positive impacts on brain structure and memory functioning in healthy seniors and supports the neurological progress of the infant brain by improving the cognitive performance relating to knowledge, memory and level of self-performance of cognitive tasks (Zhukova 2019). Ethyl eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA play an essential role in neurotransmission and neuronal cell functions, as well as in inflammatory and immune activities that are involved in neuropsychiatric disease states (Zhukova 2019). Moreover, it was reported that low intake of dietary EPA and DHA is associated with increased risk of the development of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as with poor fetal development, including neuronal, retinal and immune function (Zhukova 2019). Low maternal supplementation of DHA could also increase the risk of early preterm birth and asthma in children. Notice that an intake of 1 g/day of PUFAs, either in capsules or by marine mollusks products, confirmed a preventive action against metabolic syndrome as hyper-triglyceridemia, hyperlipidemia, or type 2 diabetes (Zhukova 2019).
Fish oils
Linda M. Castell, Samantha J. Stear (Nottingham), Louise M. Burke in Nutritional Supplements in Sport, Exercise and Health, 2015
Fish oils contain the long chain highly unsaturated omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids eicosapenteanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), although EPA and DHA amounts and their ratio vary according to origin: type of fish; season; location where the fish is caught, etc. (Calder and Yaqoob, 2009). Many commonly available fish oils contain about 30% EPA plus DHA; more concentrated preparations are available. Most fish oils present fatty acids in triglyceride form although some supplements provide them as phospholipids, free fatty acids or ethyl esters. All forms have good bioavailability, although there may be small differences in this. Fish liver oils, e.g. cod liver oil, contain higher amounts of vitamins A and D than fish body oils. Typical daily intakes of EPA and DHA in people not consuming oily fish are likely to be < 200mg/day, perhaps even lower than this, which is below the recommendation of ~500mg/day. Thus, supplements can make a substantial contribution to the recommended n-3 fatty acid intake. When fish oil supplements are consumed, EPA and DHA become enriched within blood lipids, cells and tissues, and influence many aspects of metabolism and physiology; the changes induced are considered to lead to improved health or lowered risk of disease (Calder and Yaqoob, 2009). A daily intake of at least several hundred mg of EPA and DHA is apparently required to induce health benefits, but clear threshold doses and dose-response relationships are not established.
Therapeutic Potential of Marine Foods: A Review
Hafiz Ansar Rasul Suleria, Megh R. Goyal in Health Benefits of Secondary Phytocompounds from Plant and Marine Sources, 2021
Among all bioconstituents of fish, omega-3 FAs are best known for their health benefits. Seafoods like fish and algae among food sources are basic sources of long-chain FAs including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). One-third of fat in the fish muscle is composed of these long-chain FAs [50]. All known beneficial health effects of fish fat are due to both DHA and EPA. The term “fish oil” relates with intake of DHA and EPA either through fish consumption or through intake of isolated fish-oil products having DHA and EPA. For human health, both FAs are very crucial: (i) DHA is major fatty acid during development for human brain [88] and nerve endings [59]; (ii) human muscle and liver tissues has the highest level of EPA [125]. Human body requires alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) to initiate the synthesis process of these FAs because both of these FAs cannot be synthesized by our body. Due to having the first double bond at position of third carbon from the tail starts, all of three DHA, EPA, and ALA belong to omega-3 fatty acid group.
Effects of the application of general anesthesia with propofol during the early stage of pregnancy on brain development and function of SD rat offspring and the intervention of DHA
Published in Neurological Research, 2019
Xiangming Yu, Fei Ma, Xingnian Cao, Xiaodi Ma, Chenhu Hu
Docosahexaenoic acid, which is also known as DHA, is a type of omega-3 fatty acids that plays a role as the main structural component of skin, retina, cerebral cortex and brain. As the most abundant omega-3 fatty acid in human brain tissue, DHA has been shown to be essential for the optimal development of the brain [11]. Previous studies have shown that the long-term use of DHA can significantly reduce the heart rate and improve the learning and memory ability of older adults [12]. A recent study showed that the level of DHA in middle-aged adults was positively correlated with the working memory and mental flexibility [13]. In the treatment of traumatic brain injury, DHA was found to be able to improve neuronal function by reducing the abnormal protein accumulation and endoplasmic reticulum stress [14]. And the lack of DHA in brain tissue is usually followed by the defective development of brain, abnormal brain functions and even brain disease [15]. All the evidences support that DHA is an essential factor in the development of the brain. In view of the biological roles of DHA and the pathogenesis of brain injury induced by propofol, it would be reasonable to hypothesize that the application of DHA can reduce the adverse effects on neonatal nervous system caused by propofol.
Impact of solidification on micromeritic properties and dissolution rate of self-nanoemulsifying delivery system loaded with docosahexaenoic acid
Published in Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2020
Dipanjoy Ghosh, Sachin Kumar Singh, Rubiya Khursheed, Narendra Kumar Pandey, Bimlesh Kumar, Rajan Kumar, Yogita Kumari, Gurmandeep Kaur, Ayinkamiye Clarisse, Ankit Awasthi, Monica Gulati, Subheet Kumar Jain, Omji Porwal, Esra Bayrakdar, Muath Sheet, K. Gowthamarajan, Saurabh Gupta, Leander Corrie, Pradnya Gunjal, Rajneesh Kumar Gupta, Thakur Gurjeet Singh, Shibanand Sinha
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a type of omega 3 fatty acid which is essential for the body. It is abundantly found in the human brain and plays a vital role in various stages of its growth and development including neural cell propagation, differentiation, migration, synaptogenesis, etc. [1]. However, the brain is not able to synthesize DHA in sufficient amount and the uptake of DHA from circulating lipid pools is necessary to maintain homeostatic levels [2]. DHA also finds its use in the treatment of various cardiovascular disorders and is helpful in decreasing triglycerides and cholesterol level [3]. DHA and its metabolites are found to have a defensive potential in the treatment of human cancer by amelioration of symptomatic inflammation [4]. Despite being such a potential candidate in the treatment of various disorders, use of DHA i is limited due to certain challenges such as poor aqueous solubility and first pass hepatic metabolism.
Development of a Natural Product Rich in Bioavailable Omega-3 DHA from Locally Available Ingredients for Prevention of Nutrition Related Mental Illnesses
Published in Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 2020
Christina N. Charles, Hulda Swai, Titus Msagati, Musa Chacha
Since nutrition is clearly linked with mental health, the field of nutrition has recently received attention as a sustainable approach to both the prevention and management of mental health disorders in low- and high-income countries (5,6). Convincing data suggest that nutrient-based supplements might provide many neurochemical modulatory activities that are beneficial in the prevention and management of mental health disorders (7). Because of that, there are a number of nutrient-based interventions that are currently being implemented especially, in developed countries (8). Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids supplementation, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is an example of the available nutrient-based interventions for prevention and or management of mental disorders (9). The assertion is based on the clinical trials that have proved the usefulness of omega-3 DHA in prevention and management of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and psychosis (10,11).
Related Knowledge Centers
- Carboxylic Acid
- Cerebral Cortex
- Retina
- Skin
- Brain
- Omega-3 Fatty Acid
- Α-Linolenic Acid
- Catenation
- Cis–Trans Isomerism
- Trivial Name