Introduction
Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that affects the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for controlling thought, memory, and language. According to “Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet,” published by the National Institute of Health (NIH), the disease, ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., was named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who, in 1906, noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who experienced memory loss, language deficits, and unpredictable behavior. After the woman’s death, Dr. Alzheimer examined her atrophied brain and discovered abnormal clumps (amyloid plaques) and tangled fibers (neurofibrillary, or tau, tangles) (“Fact”). …show more content…
Each different type impacts the body in different ways. Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) is a short-chain ɳ-3 fatty acid molecule composed of eighteen carbon atoms and three double bond hinges. ALA is the most abundant form of ɳ-3 fatty acids and is found in plants, including salad greens, and in seeds, such as flax and canola (Sears 24). Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) is made up of twenty carbon atoms and five double bonds and is also mainly found in seafood. Finally, the last and longest form of ɳ-3 fatty acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) has twenty-two carbon atoms and six double bond hinges. Like EPA, DHA is mostly contained in seafood. Both EPA and DHA are categorized as highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) (25). The body prefers these longer-chain acids to ALA and uses enzymes to convert ALA into EPA and DHA. Although ALA is considered the parent fatty acid of ɳ-3’s, this conversion is highly inefficient; in fact, recent studies indicate that less than one percent of ALA oils consumed is converted to EPA and an even lower percentage is converted to DHA (Tribole …show more content…
Chronic inflammation is at the root of heart disease. The body’s attempt to heal blood vessel injuries leads to plaque formation and ruptured plaque, releasing blood clots and inflammatory agents into the blood. ɳ-3 fatty acids produce eicosanoids that trigger anti-inflammation and smoothen the lining of blood vessels, the epithelium, reducing plaque buildup and lowering high blood pressure. In fact, the rise in inflammatory diseases parallels the rise in dietary ɳ-6 fats, which trigger inflammation (Sears 66).
Cardiologists believe ɳ-3 fatty acids soften arteries by increasing the production of nitric acid, a vasodilator (Sears 46). Moreover, EPA and DHA decrease platelet stickiness and help maintain a healthy blood-clotting balance (47). Additionally, as vessel become stiff, the heart works harder to push blood through the arteries, resulting in high blood pressure. ɳ-3 fatty acids keep vessels more flexible by keeping sticky excess fat deposits off of the epithelium and creating cellular fluidity in blood cell membranes
Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that affects the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for controlling thought, memory, and language. According to “Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet,” published by the National Institute of Health (NIH), the disease, ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., was named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who, in 1906, noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who experienced memory loss, language deficits, and unpredictable behavior. After the woman’s death, Dr. Alzheimer examined her atrophied brain and discovered abnormal clumps (amyloid plaques) and tangled fibers (neurofibrillary, or tau, tangles) (“Fact”). …show more content…
Each different type impacts the body in different ways. Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) is a short-chain ɳ-3 fatty acid molecule composed of eighteen carbon atoms and three double bond hinges. ALA is the most abundant form of ɳ-3 fatty acids and is found in plants, including salad greens, and in seeds, such as flax and canola (Sears 24). Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) is made up of twenty carbon atoms and five double bonds and is also mainly found in seafood. Finally, the last and longest form of ɳ-3 fatty acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) has twenty-two carbon atoms and six double bond hinges. Like EPA, DHA is mostly contained in seafood. Both EPA and DHA are categorized as highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) (25). The body prefers these longer-chain acids to ALA and uses enzymes to convert ALA into EPA and DHA. Although ALA is considered the parent fatty acid of ɳ-3’s, this conversion is highly inefficient; in fact, recent studies indicate that less than one percent of ALA oils consumed is converted to EPA and an even lower percentage is converted to DHA (Tribole …show more content…
Chronic inflammation is at the root of heart disease. The body’s attempt to heal blood vessel injuries leads to plaque formation and ruptured plaque, releasing blood clots and inflammatory agents into the blood. ɳ-3 fatty acids produce eicosanoids that trigger anti-inflammation and smoothen the lining of blood vessels, the epithelium, reducing plaque buildup and lowering high blood pressure. In fact, the rise in inflammatory diseases parallels the rise in dietary ɳ-6 fats, which trigger inflammation (Sears 66).
Cardiologists believe ɳ-3 fatty acids soften arteries by increasing the production of nitric acid, a vasodilator (Sears 46). Moreover, EPA and DHA decrease platelet stickiness and help maintain a healthy blood-clotting balance (47). Additionally, as vessel become stiff, the heart works harder to push blood through the arteries, resulting in high blood pressure. ɳ-3 fatty acids keep vessels more flexible by keeping sticky excess fat deposits off of the epithelium and creating cellular fluidity in blood cell membranes