Monkeys that eat omega-3 rich diet show more developed brain networks
Omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in salmon and other seafood, have long been known to be important in brain development. A new study in the Journal of Neuroscience adds to this understanding. Scientists at the Oregon Health & Science University measured the content and organization of neural networks in rhesus macaques. Half of the 17- to 19-year-old monkeys had been fed a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids their whole lives, whereas the other half had been fed an omega-3 fatty acid depleted diet. The macaques that had been fed an enriched omega-3 diet had strong connections in the visual neural circuitry, as well as stronger connections between various regions of the brain, including those used in complex or abstract thought. The monkeys with the depleted diets had decreased connectivity and organization in the brain. The researchers now want to examine how omega-3s might affect networks of the brains in animal models with behaviors similar to humans with autism or ADHD.
Source:
http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/news_events/news/2014/02-05-monkeys-that-eat-omega-3.cfm
Journal article: Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids Modulate Large-Scale Systems Organization in the Rhesus Macaque Brain. Journal of Neuroscience, 2014. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3038-13.2014
Story via Neuroscience Research Technique
Image via reddit
monkey footage from the film Baraka ? reminds me of the opening scenes
ReplyDeleteH2O meditation...monkey business ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, hot springs are awesome..especially in the winter time ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad patrik bdo , you should try sometimes ;)
ReplyDeleteSo? move your anatomy!
ReplyDelete:) this film you may like patrik bdo Baraka its on youtube in full bit you are best seeing it in 1080p
ReplyDeleteΔεν καταλαβαινω τιποτα.
ReplyDeleteIs ok mimis dog-us sometimes I don't understand myself either ;)
ReplyDeleteCorina Marinescu good day. I wrote in greek.
ReplyDeleteFish truly is 'brain food'
ReplyDeletemimis dog-us I am aware of that since I replied ;)
ReplyDeleteOh ...and g'evening!
Thinking of how foggy my brain had been with me not eating Omega-3 supplements for 30 years, makes my brain go ………………………………
ReplyDeleteI suggest moderation with Omega 3 supplements Pål Børsting ;)
ReplyDeleteStick with consuming regularly fish =)
I think eating natural food is best, what we need is found in nature anyway, no need for vitamin or mineral supplements
ReplyDeleteDepends...supplements are good but use moderation. For example during pregnancy women need vits & min and folic acid, when we get older Ca + D is also needed. But still moderation is the key, best to see a MD that knows your medical history ;)
ReplyDeleteModeration is good, in every aspect, not just in you diet. Though some people can have a habit of having too much. Especially things like Vitamin C, since it just passes straight through when you have too much. Just have fruit...
ReplyDeleteGet plenty of vitamin D in oily fish and eggs
ReplyDeleteIn nutrition, balance is everything. The two essential fatty acids, omega-6 and omega-3, must be in harmony with each other for proper functioning. If one or the other is too high or too low, negative consequences result.
ReplyDeleteIf you eat too much omega-6, as is the case with today's american diet, this promotes inflammation, blood clotting and constricts blood vessels....when your cells contain equal amounts of omega-6 and omega-3 this promotes less inflammation, less constrictive blood vessels and prevents clot formation, all important functions in preventing many diseases. Omega-3 concentrations are highest in the brain and nervous system...so the dose is essential. Just eat healthy and stick with eating regular fish ;) here and there you may take a supplement if is necessary : )
You're the expert ;) I like eating fish, so I think I am OK - mackerel, tuna, salmon, sardines etc. A couple of times a week at least
ReplyDeleteThat's very good Sam Collett ;)
ReplyDeleteCorina Marinescu Like this monkeys I was in an experiment for 3 months back in the 80's. Users of our local psoriasis UVB facility was invited to see what supplements of Omega-3 could do. Haven't been to that facility since. If I get a bit lax on my intake now and then I get my psoriasis back. 2 years ago I was invited to test a vegetable Omega-3 source. It worked too. Now I know that not all my friends had the same results. The interesting thing is that it takes time to loose the effect. I can stop for 2 months and nothing happens, but then it comes back gradually. Same thing the other way around. I have to take it for many weeks before it works again. Right now I am experimenting with reducing the intake of the vegetable version below the recommendation from the brand.
ReplyDeleteYes, because omega 6 (found in veggies and soybean) needs to be in balance with omega 3 ..like I said ;)
ReplyDeleteOmega-3 benefit the skin, so you will notice a decrease in the area of skin affected by the condition and a decrease in cell proliferation and skin inflammation. Omega 3 is good for you Pål Børsting but you need to keep the balance omega 6 - omega 3.
The results of experiments on Rhesus are not so surprising for me. DHA is one of the main components of the brain (except of water).
ReplyDeleteIt should also be noted, that the animals can't synthesize omega-3 but get them with food. In the case of marine fish — from algae. Grass-eating cows have more omega-3 in fatty tissue and breast milk than the cows fed on grain.
For vegetarians a good source of omega-3 may be the linseed oil, but it is very unstable (rapidly oxidizes).