Brain Development Suffers From Lack of Fish oil, Fatty Acids

IRVINE, Calif. – Fatty acids are vital in the development of brain tissue, according to researchers at the University of California at Irvine.

Their research is indicating there is a dietary link for proper pre and postnatal growth.

Their findings were published in April’s edition of The Journal of Neuroscience.

What they found is that deficiencies in the type of fatty acids found in fish and other foods can limit fetal brain growth.

Women who maintained a balanced diet rich in Omega-3s during pregnancy could boost their baby’s brain development.

Researchers proved this by showing how deficits in what are known as n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids cause molecular changes in the developing brain that result in constrained growth of neurons and the synapses that connect them.

In their study, which used female frogs and tadpoles and showed 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.