Can the gut microbiome inform the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation trials on cognition?

Abstract

Purpose of review Most omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) supplementation clinical trials report inconsistent or null findings on measures of cognition or Alzheimer's disease (AD) with a relatively large variability in the response to n-3 PUFA supplementation. The purpose of this review is to identify whether the gut microbiome together with the metabolome can provide critical insights to understand this heterogeneity in the response to n-3 PUFA supplementation. Recent findings A Western diet with high saturated fat and omega-6 fatty acid content, obesity, and lack of exercise puts strain on the gut microbiome resulting in imbalance, dysbiosis, reduced bacterial diversity, and increased abundance of the pro-inflammatory taxa. A plant-based diet has beneficial effects on the gut microbiota even when deficient in n-3 PUFAs. Human and animal studies show that increased intake of the n-3 PUFAs correlates with increased beneficial intestinal bacteria when compared to a Western diet. Summary The composition of the gut microbiota can help define the effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation on the brain and lead to more personalized nutritional interventions.

Neurolaw: Revisiting Huberty v. McDonald’s through the Lens of Nutritional Criminology and Food Crime

“…This might help explain why fried food consumption by humans predicts neuroinflammation and anxiety and/or depression . In addition, a steady diet of fried chicken and ice cream is notable for its absence of omega-3 essential fatty acids (Marriott et al 2014;Young et al 2017); this is important because a lack of dietary omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to human aggression (Raine et al 2020) and gut dysbiosis (Kerman et al 2023). Indeed, a consistent intake of high-fat fast foods is associated with higher body levels of an industrial chemical class known as phthalates (Zota et al 2016); this class of chemicals is known to provoke dysbiosis (Goyal and Saravanan 2023) and has been linked to emotional reactivity and aggression (Hlisníková et al 2021).…”

A Review of the Nutritional Aspects and Composition of the Meat, Liver and Fat of Buffaloes in the Amazon

“…The amounts of fatty acids and the ratios between the fatty acids of the n-6 and n-3 families, currently ingested by humans, are difficult to examine since they are subordinated to the physiology, availability or variety of food and the diet of each individual. We have not yet accurately determined the minimum levels of fatty acid intake of the n-3 and n-6 series that meet the human requirements of these nutrients; however, it is necessary to consume a balanced diet with n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in the diet [ 90 , 91 ].…”