Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) are fatty acids with more than 20 carbons and more than three double bonds, which can be categorized into two main families — ω6 (n-6) and ω3 (n-3) — depending on the position of the first double bond from the methyl end group of the fatty acid.
It is a structural component of cell membrane phospholipid bilayers and functions in a number of intracellular signalling and metabolic pathways involved in vasoproliferative and neurodegenerative disease.
- Main ω3 LC-PUFA in food sources are (18:3 Δ9, 12, 15), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (22:6 Δ4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (20:5 Δ5, 8, 11, 14, 17), and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) (22:5 Δ7, 10, 13, 16, 19).
- Main ω6 LC-PUFA include α-linoleic acid (LA) (18:2 Δ9, 12) and arachidonic acid (AA) (20:4 Δ5, 8, 11, 14).
| Food Source | Potential Health Benefits | |
| Docosahexaenoic Acid(DHA) | – Salmon – Tuna – Trout – Mussels – Oysters – Cod – Fish Eggs – Pickled Herring – Clams – Snow Crab | – Highly concentrated in the retina and the brain. It is essential for normal vision and brain function – Helps in neurotransmitter biosynthesis, signal transduction, uptake of serotonin, binding of β-adrenergic and serotonergic receptors, and monoamine oxidase activity |
| Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) | – Mackerel – Salmon – Seabass – Oysters – Sardine – Shrimp – Trout – Seaweed – Nori – Spirulina – Chloe Ella | – Improve cardiac function – Improve depression and cognitive function – Lowering the blood pressure – Improve muscle endurance performance – Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects |
| Docosapentaenoic Acid (DPA) | – Human Breast Milk – Menhaden – Salmon – Beef | – Lower the risk of depression and schizophrenia – Lower the risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis – Suppress the synthesis of triglycerides and cholesterol in liver cells |
| α-linolenic Acid (ALA) | – Red Raspberry Seed Oil – Boysenberry Seed Oil – Marionberry (Rubus Hybrid) Seed Oil – Blueberry Seed Oil | – Helps in depression and hypoxic-ischemic injury in the nervous system – Helps in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia |
| Arachidonic Acid (ARA) | – Beef Rib Eye – Chicken Breast and Thigh – Eggs – Pork Loin – Turkey Breast – Tuna | – Helps in neuron function, brain synaptic plasticity, and long-term potentiation of the hippocampus – Helps in the management of disorders of the central nervous system, visual and auditory system – Helps in autism – Inhibit proliferation and elicit death of tumour cells |
Sum Up
Currently, most studies concerning PUFAs have focused on neural development and mood, psychotic and cognitive disorders. It is now a promising therapy in the special needs industry in the future as PUFAs can easily be obtained from a variety of food sources.
Therefore, studies need to assess environmental, genetic, and epigenetic influences on PUFA metabolism and their impact on the pathogenesis of pediatric psychotic disorders.
Reference:
1.Kawashima, H. Intake of arachidonic acid-containing lipids in adult humans: dietary surveys and clinical trials. Lipids Health Dis 18, 101 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-019-1039-y
2.Tallima H, El Ridi R. Arachidonic acid: Physiological roles and potential health benefits – A review. J Adv Res. 2017;11:33-41. Published 2017 Nov 24. doi:10.1016/j.jare.2017.11.004
3.Blondeau N, Lipsky RH, Bourourou M, Duncan MW, Gorelick PB, Marini AM. Alpha-linolenic acid: an omega-3 fatty acid with neuroprotective properties-ready for use in the stroke clinic?. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:519830. doi:10.1155/2015/519830