Introduction:
The n-3 and n-6 fatty acids are important because of the family are not synthesized in the body, but must be obtained from food. The fatty acids are found in the membranes of every cell in your body, but essential fatty acids are particularly concentrated in the membranes of brain cells, heart cells, retinal cells and cells of the immune system.
Research over decades has shown that fatty acids are best for the human body, polyunsaturated fatty acidsAcids such as n-3 fatty acids. These n-3 fatty acids break down to form EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These two fatty acids EPA and DHA, that the essential fatty acids or EFAs are mentioned.
Although DHA derived from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) reduces the ability of it with age. The acid alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic is divided, docosahexaenoic acid, and finally the formation of eicosanoids form. In addition, the primarySource of DHA, which is the alpha-linolenic acid can not be synthesized in the body and must be obtained from food. In reality, the body's ability to reduce the n-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in the form of rejects and stops the moment the baby is born. So the older you are (apart from childhood), DHA less and you have the need for integration.
DHA in the brain and retina:
Most of the dry matter of the brain is lipids (fats) due to brainThe activity is highly dependent on functions provided by lipid membranes. Compared to other tissues of the body, the brain content of DHA and arachidonic acid is very high. DHA is particularly in membranes that are functionally active are concentrated in synapses, namely in the retina.
phosphatidylethanolamine fatty acids in human gray matter is the cell membrane by about 25% DHA oil, 25% stearic acid, 14% and 12% arachidonic acid. In the outer segments of photoreceptors, the retina of the eye more50% of the fatty acid DHA. It 's the unique properties of DHA and perhaps liquid permeability, probably high for this concentration.1
DHA is formed rapidly in prenatal human brain during the third quarter and early postnatal period, when the rate of brain growth is greatest and the most vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies. Postnatal deficiency of DHA have been found particularly negative affect visual acuity, development and behavior. InIn general, breast milk contains sufficient amounts of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, including DHA, to meet those needs, provided that the mother's diet is adequate. A study of breast milk and DHA content of mothers in Pakistan against Dutch mothers displayed significantly lower amounts of DHA, which were eaten directly related to the reduced amount of fish in northern Pakistan. 2
DHA in pregnancy:
DHA has been shown to play an important role in the maintenance of pregnancy and reducing theirPremature births. Detection of human and animal studies suggest that essential fatty acids are n-3 and n-6 series and their eicosanoid metabolites, play an important role in the duration of gestation and birth, n-3 fatty acids play supplementation during pregnancy may be insufficient . It is also documented that supplementation may be useful with long Chian n-3 fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid, an extension of the duration of pregnancy in some high-risk pregnancies. 3
DHA in the work andPlace of Birth:
The first born are the most common cause of low birth weight infant mortality and morbidity and infant mortality. In the absence of infection, premature birth by a lower reproductive tissue PG production and decreased the expression of inducible cyclooxygenase. Women who deliver prematurely increased pool of n-6 fatty acids and n-3 fatty acids has decreased, despite the decline in PG production. Many of the extra pregnancy paths with n-3 fatty acids have demonstrated significantReduction in the incidence of premature birth and birth weight associated with a greater increase in gestational duration. Supplementation with long chain n-3 fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid may be useful to extend the duration of pregnancy in some high-risk pregnancies. 4
In premature infants positive relationship between the amount of DHA in umbilical artery phospholipids and birth weight, head circumference and birth weight in length were observed.
Moreover, the essentialPUFA status at birth seemed to be the strongest determinant of essential PUFA status as the expected date of childbirth. 5 Therefore, a higher DHA status of preterm infants benefit, not only in terms of intrauterine development, but also in terms of postnatal development.
DHA in pregnancy and lactation:
Because of the decline in the synthesis of DHA, it is not surprising that the content of DHA decreases the membranes of brain cells. Some of the reasons that may help low-DHAFlat Cab poor diet, multiparous pregnancy, multiple births and subsequent pregnancies as close to the normalization of DHA levels at birth is low. The main function of DHA in the fetus during the last trimester of pregnancy, and (to a lesser extent) in the baby during the first 3 months after birth. E 'during this period, the synapses in the brain is the fastest, and for an infant DHA exceeds the capacity of enzymes synthesis it.6 In fact, 70%brain cells are formed before birth. The additional requirements are accepted through the mechanism that the DHA concentration of absorption form the placenta of the mother met. 7
The DHA content of brain increased 3-5 times during the last quarter and again in the first 12 weeks after birth. requirements of DHA during pregnancy have increased, because the unborn child is completely dependent on the mother's intake of DHA. The mother layers provide food for the baby through the placenta andbreast milk after birth.
After birth, the additional requirement of DHA from the mother during lactation. rapid growth of the baby's brain requires a large amount of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. Infant formulas often do not contain DHA or arachidonic acid. That study revealed through (almost) at the age of 8 years, children who breast-fed children from paragraph 8.3 Advantage IQ over children who received proper formula.8 study on education and social class,the mother.
Further support for the idea that DHA is essential for brain development came from an experiment that examined the effects of adding DHA infant formula. In both 16 and 30 weeks to complete the breast-fed infants and the formula was significantly better visual acuity than children in the placebo formula. 9
Even in the best formulation of the efficiency of absorption of DHA and arachidonic acid by a child is worse than the absorption of breast milk compared.Therefore, the best way for a sufficient DHA during pregnancy is to take a DHA supplement, so that adequate levels of DHA to the mother and fetus. The content of EPA and DHA in human milk is experimentally from fish oil rich in DHA, or seaweed that contains pure DHA supplements women.10 The nursing mother's diet, usually increases contains enough omega-6 fatty acids allow, is sufficient to synthesize arachidonic acid.
DHA role inchild development:
optimal nutrition for children - before and after birth - is a field of research, with a lot of importance is given. In many cases, research has unexpected results. A nutrient that has emerged as a major influence both the brain and visual development of children's DHA '.
DHA is particularly critical in infant development. Research has shown that reduced levels in children receiving DHA, the developing brain are less and may evenpoorer optical responses to light.
How does a child receive DHA?
Before a child is born, n-3 fatty acids are transported by the blood of the mother through the placenta, and are responsible for the development of the membrane of the brain and the baby is born retina.11 following is the main source of DHA in breast milk. However, the pregnancy caused the depletion of maternal DHA levels. In the case of exhaustion multiparuos pregnancy is a strong as it is not a time for the body, its activity againDHA, therefore, the optimal level of DHA to the fetus is affected. This brings into focus once again the need for DHA supplementation during pregnancy and lactation. A recent study in The Lancet, confirms these findings.12 After analyzing the brain tissue of 22 children had died in their first 43 weeks, the researchers found significantly higher amounts of DHA in the brains of children breastfed than babies breastfed artificially. Researchers have recognized that DHA is requiredfor the development of the cortex (the thin layers of folded hemispheres of the brain that house billions of brain cells) and also for the many functions of the brain responsible for cognitive functions including signal transmission e.
Research has also initiated the concept that lower levels of this essential fatty acid with neurological disorders, suggests are associated with irreversible growth patterns that occur in the very early stagesa child's development, where DHA plays a crucial role.
In fact, the most active period of brain cell division in the first weeks of embryonic development, almost white before a woman growing pregnant.13 after the second month, a fetus in the brain is an incredibly fast pace and 70% of 'total energy consumption and growth of the brain. Even a child born later will be fed up to 60% of its energy to the brain. In a related area of research, studies have shown that children whowere breastfed score higher on IQ tests than children lined with food. 14
DHA and its role in retinal function:
In addition to its role in the development of the brain DHA plays an important role in the development of visual acuity or sharpness of vision. DHA is highly concentrated in photoreceptors of the retina and provides lipids found in the retinal membrane. In the first six months of life, a system of child retinocortical - to distinguish between lightand dark - mature quickly. Healthy term infants showed an average improvement of 20% every month 2:00 to 7:00 at the age months.15 Later, this ability to see the subtle light and dark contrasts to help children recognize the face of face and expression.16 It was stressed that if the DHA levels are too low neuropathy, abnormal function and peripheral visual occur.17
Mechanism of action:
There are two major pharmacological effects of DHA. One is physical actionIt depends on their structure and the other is a biochemical effect of inhibition of enzymes.
Action on the brain:
Measures Physico-chemical that occurs in DHA phospholipids in cell membranes, increasing membrane fluidity. If DHA in phospholipid membranes of synapses in the brain cells occurs, there is the synthesis of acetylcholine or increasing the activity of acetylcholine receptors, enhanced activity of the receptor apparent, althoughNo change in number. E ', however, that DHA works by improving the physical and chemical properties of cell membranes. In addition, the cells of vessel walls, soft control high blood pressure, the substance occurs in the membranes of red blood cells, improving the deformability of red blood cells and prevents the formation of blood clots, blood circulation is improved, the transport of oxygen more.
Actions on retinal photoreceptors:
The role of DHAPhospholipids in regulating G-protein signaling is present in the studies of rhodopsin. It 'clear that the visual pigment, the degree of response unstauration membrane lipids. In terms of cell biology, has shown that DHA plays a protective role in the cell culture model of apoptosis in which its effects in increasing cellular phosphatidylserine (PS), led to the loss of DHA leads to a loss of PS, DHA may have an important role in the regulation of cellular signal transduction and cellProliferation. Finally and most recently led the progress in NMR studies to differences in molecular structure and order in biomembranes by subtle changes in degree of unsaturation of phospholipids distinguish. 21
Shares of gestation:
The eicosanoids produced in the form of n-3 PUFA and n-6 PUFA opposite roles to play. Although a balanced ratio of n-3 PUFA and n-6 PUFA in the diet of 4:1 provides a "real health for all. Eicosanoids are prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and containedthrombaxanes. Eicosanoids from n-3 PUFA are responsible for the anti-platelet aggregation vasodilation and anti-inflammatory properties. The hypothesis suggested that n-3PUFA prolonged pregnancy in humans from the destruction of the uterine production of prostaglandins, may be inhibiting the production of dienoischen prostaglandins, particularly PGF2 alpha and PGE2, mediators of uterine contractions and cervical ripening. So, for DHA has seen his lead in extending the gestationThe inhibition of prostaglandins, the mediators are uterine contraction. 22
DHA with its ability to provide adequate time and support to increase visual acuity and mental development of the two terms and premature infants is safe for our environment, where the rate of preterm infants, nearly 10% of all children born in India.
In the treatment of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR):
A treatment of intravenous infusion of glucose, amino acids and emulsion enrichedessential fatty acids, linoleic acid and linolenic acid were 30 pregnant women with intrauterine growth retardation and 28 non-essential fatty acids, in which cases treated as controls. There was a significant gain in fetal biparietal diameter and estimated weight of the treated group than the control group. The mean birth weight was significantly different in the two groups. fetal biparietal diameter increased more in patients treated with essential fatty acids at 28-34 weeks of pregnancythat in 34-37 weeks, which discharged as early addition of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in intrauterine growth retardation mothers the right essential fatty acid deficiency during pregnancy and maternal-fetal malnutrition, which shows that the induced set catch on fetal brain growth and the entire body.23
The role of EFA in multiple pregnancy:
While the pregnancy the maternal essential fatty acid was increased gradually. After multiple pregnancyprovides that the child and maternal essential fatty acid status is even lower. To check whether the parent essential fatty acids to supply to the fetus is a limiting factor for the state of neonatal essential fatty acids, we compared the plasma phospholipid essential fatty acid status of newborn multiplets (30 doubles and 7 groups of triplets ) with that of single (n = 89) at birth and that of their mothers at delivery. After correction for gestational age, a slightly lower keyThe fatty acids are in a state of maternal plasma and umbilical cord of multiplets than the singles. No association was found between the difference in birth weight of the smallest and the largest of a series of newborn multiplets and the difference in plasma levels of essential fatty acids cable. The correlation between maternal and umbilical cord plasma levels of essential fatty acid were similar for singleton and multiple pregnancies. Thus, a sufficient intake of food is necessary to ensure optimalNeonatal essential fatty acid status, particularly in the course of several pregnancy.24
Dosage:
200mgs daily of DHA should be perfectly suitable and safe for most pregnant women. used in comparison with some very high doses of DHA in animal studies, up to 600mgs possible, even if there is a history of poor diet or a diet low in n-3 PUFA.
Conclusion:
The mothers in the third trimester of pregnancy or breast-feeding a baby can helpbrain development of their children by DHA, in consultation with their doctor. It can be taken during the second quarter, when the development takes place in the brain of the fetus. DHA may also be taken to be seen against the deterioration of brain DHA normally with aging hat.
References:
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