Deficiency of fish oil fatty acids causes molecular changes in the brain. It results in constrained growth of brain cells and synapses that connect them.
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N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are precursors of docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, which plays a key role in the healthy creation of the central nervous system. Dietary DHA is mainly found in animal products such as fish, eggs and meat. Oily fish like mackerel, herring, salmon, trout and sardines are the richest dietary source, containing 10 to 100 times more DHA than non-marine foods such as nuts, seeds, whole grains and dark green, leafy vegetables.
During the animal study, the UCI researchers were able to see how DHA-deficient brain tissue fostered poorly developed neurons and limited numbers of synapses, the vital conduits that allow neurons to communicate with each other. Cohen-Cory said, "Additionally, when we changed the diets of DHA-deficient mothers to include a proper level of this dietary fatty acid, neuronal and synaptic growth flourished and returned to normal in the following generation of tadpoles."
The study is published in The Journal of Neuroscience.
Source-Medindia