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Smolińska K, Szopa A, Sobczyński J, Serefko A, Dobrowolski P. Nutritional Quality Implications: Exploring the Impact of a Fatty Acid-Rich Diet on Central Nervous System Development. Nutrients 2024; 16:1093. [PMID: 38613126 PMCID: PMC11013435 DOI: 10.3390/nu16071093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Given the comprehensive examination of the role of fatty acid-rich diets in central nervous system development in children, this study bridges significant gaps in the understanding of dietary effects on neurodevelopment. It delves into the essential functions of fatty acids in neurodevelopment, including their contributions to neuronal membrane formation, neuroinflammatory modulation, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity. Despite the acknowledged importance of these nutrients, this review reveals a lack of comprehensive synthesis in current research, particularly regarding the broader spectrum of fatty acids and their optimal levels throughout childhood. By consolidating the existing knowledge and highlighting critical research gaps, such as the effects of fatty acid metabolism on neurodevelopmental disorders and the need for age-specific dietary guidelines, this study sets a foundation for future studies. This underscores the potential of nutritional strategies to significantly influence neurodevelopmental trajectories, advocating an enriched academic and clinical understanding that can inform dietary recommendations and interventions aimed at optimizing neurological health from infancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Smolińska
- Chronic Wounds Laboratory, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki St. 7, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Aleksandra Szopa
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki St. 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (A.S.); (J.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Jan Sobczyński
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki St. 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (A.S.); (J.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Anna Serefko
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki St. 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (A.S.); (J.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Piotr Dobrowolski
- Department of Functional Anatomy and Cytobiology, Maria Curie Sklodowska University, Akademicka St. 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
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Cardino VN, Goeden T, Yakah W, Ezeamama AE, Fenton JI. New Perspectives on the Associations between Blood Fatty Acids, Growth Parameters, and Cognitive Development in Global Child Populations. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15081933. [PMID: 37111152 PMCID: PMC10143140 DOI: 10.3390/nu15081933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Malnutrition is prevalent in low-middle-income countries (LMICs), but it is usually clinically diagnosed through abnormal anthropometric parameters characteristic of protein energy malnutrition (PEM). In doing so, other contributors or byproducts of malnutrition, notably essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD), are overlooked. Previous research performed mainly in high-income countries (HICs) shows that deficiencies in essential fatty acids (EFAs) and their n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) byproducts (also known as highly unsaturated fatty acids or HUFAs) lead to both abnormal linear growth and impaired cognitive development. These adverse developmental outcomes remain an important public health issue in LMICs. To identify EFAD before severe malnutrition develops, clinicians should perform blood fatty acid panels to measure levels of fatty acids associated with EFAD, notably Mead acid and HUFAs. This review demonstrates the importance of measuring endogenous fatty acid levels for measuring fatty acid intake in various child populations in LMICs. Featured topics include a comparison of fatty acid levels between global child populations, the relationships between growth and cognition and PUFAs and the possible mechanisms driving these relationships, and the potential importance of EFAD and HUFA scores as biomarkers of overall health and normal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa N Cardino
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Travis Goeden
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - William Yakah
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Amara E Ezeamama
- Department of Psychiatry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Jenifer I Fenton
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Sittiprapaporn P, Bumrungpert A, Suyajai P, Stough C. Effectiveness of Fish Oil-DHA Supplementation for Cognitive Function in Thai Children: A Randomized, Doubled-Blind, Two-Dose, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Foods 2022; 11:foods11172595. [PMID: 36076781 PMCID: PMC9455812 DOI: 10.3390/foods11172595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of fish oil (FO) or omega-3 supplementation on cognition has been the subject of several previous clinical trials. However, the effect of different doses taken chronically on cognition in children has not been well studied. In order to address this gap in our knowledge, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of one hundred and twenty healthy, cognitively normal Thai children aged 6–12 years old consumed daily low dose FO (260 mg Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)), high dose FO (520 mg DHA), or placebo (Soybean oil) for 12 weeks. Cognitive function was assessed using a computerized cognitive battery, including the Go/NoGo, N-Back, and Digit Span tests as well as concurrent event-related potentials (ERPs), which together measured attention, processing speed, inhibition, and memory at baseline and 12 weeks. We hypothesized that compared to placebo, the two FO groups would show improved cognitive performance and shorter ERP latencies. In total, 42, 39, and 39 participants completed each of the test (FO-A, FO-B) and placebo groups (P) allocations, respectively, and were analyzed (120 in total across the three groups). No significant differences were observed between reaction times (RTs), accuracy, or error rates for all three of the cognitive tests. The ERP measurement and analysis of brain activity during the cognitive tests showed an increase in ERP amplitude. For all cognitive tests, there was a dose-response effect of FO on ERP amplitudes. These findings indicate that fish oil intake leads to a consistent improvement in attention and cognitive processing ability measured by changes in brain activity during working and long-term memory processes. This is the first study to directly quantify such an effect through simultaneous measurement of manual and mental activity during cognitive tasks following chronic FO use in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phakkharawat Sittiprapaporn
- Neuropsychological Research Laboratory, Department of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Science, School of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
- Correspondence: (P.S.); (A.B.); Tel.: +66-266-44361 (P.S.)
| | - Akkarach Bumrungpert
- Research Center of Nutraceuticals and Natural Products for Health & Anti-Aging, College of Integrative Medicine, Dhurakij Pundit University, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
- Correspondence: (P.S.); (A.B.); Tel.: +66-266-44361 (P.S.)
| | - Prayoon Suyajai
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13170, Thailand
| | - Con Stough
- Center for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, P.O. Box 218 Hawthorn, Melbourne 3122, Australia
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