The Importance of marine omega-3s for brain development and the prevention and treatment of behavior, mood, and other brain disorders

According to DiNicolantonio & O’Keefe (2020), most humans are deficient in long-chain marine omega-3s, and most importantly, in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which plays a key part in healthy cerebral and ocular development. Furthermore, DHA is important for mental health in children and adults, cellular membrane function, and cerebral neurotransmitter secretion. Studies have shown that a nutritional deficiency of marine omega-3 fatty acids leads to raising the odds of several mental health conditions, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, bipolar disorder, depression, and risk of suicide, in addition to a supportive growing body of evidence on the positive impact of marine omega-3 fatty acid supplements on mental health. In this paper, the authors summarize the literature exploring the relationship between marine omega-3 fatty acids and mental health disorders. [NPID: Omega-3, fish oil, brain, mood, attention, depression]

Year: 2020

Reference: DiNicolantonio, J. J., & O’Keefe, J. H. (2020). The importance of marine omega-3s for brain development and the prevention and treatment of behavior, mood, and other brain disorders. Nutrients, 12(8), 2333. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082333

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