Structured Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Improvement of Cognitive Function during Aging

Abstract

Although the human lifespan has increased in the past century owing to advances in medicine and lifestyle, the human healthspan has not kept up the same pace, especially in brain aging. Consequently, the role of preventive health interventions has become a crucial strategy, in particular, the identification of nutritional compounds that could alleviate the deleterious effects of aging. Among nutrients to cope with aging in special cognitive decline, the long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 LCPUFAs) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), have emerged as very promising ones. Due to their neuroinflammatory resolving effects, an increased status of DHA and EPA in the elderly has been linked to better cognitive function and a lower risk of dementia. However, the results from clinical studies do not show consistent evidence and intake recommendations for old adults are lacking. Recently, supplementation with structured forms of EPA and DHA, which can be derived natural forms or targeted structures, have proven enhanced bioavailability and powerful benefits. This review summarizes present and future perspectives of new structures of ω-3 LCPUFAs and the role of “omic” technologies combined with the use of high-throughput in vivo models to shed light on the relationships and underlying mechanisms between ω-3 LCPUFAs and healthy aging.

Histopathological and Scores Assessment of Using Omega-3 for Improvement Gingival Wound Healing Process in Rabbit Model

“…was used as an anti-inflammatory drug, with one study reporting that omega-3 supplementation is a simple strategy to improve the longterm treatment of periodontitis [27]. Another literature review reporting that using omega-3 as a treatment can significantly increase gum tissue regeneration while decreasing bleeding on examination [28][29][30]. Arachidonic acid is considered a proinflammatory since it is a mediator of inflammation and can operate as a vasodilator, and it is found in phospholipids [31].…”

Impact of multidomain preventive strategies on functional brain connectivity in older adults with cognitive complaint: Subset from the Montpellier center of the ancillary MAPT-MRI study

“…Nutritional interventions have focused on multiple nutrients, although some supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, have received particular attention. Indeed, they show protective effects against age-related processes such as neuroinflammation (Joffre et al, 2020 ), oxidative stress (Mora et al, 2022 ), and blood-brain barrier dysfunction (Barnes et al, 2021 ). Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has been associated with reduced memory (Yurko-Mauro et al, 2015 ) and cognitive (Marti del Moral and Fortique, 2019 ) impairment and a reduced risk of developing dementia (Zhang et al, 2015 ).…”

Structured Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Enhances Motility and Promotes the Antioxidant Capacity of Aged C. elegans

“…Currently, structured forms of ω-3 LCPUFA have emerged as promising ingredients with powerful benefits for human health. This group of esterified ω-3 LCPUFA comprises a wide range of large structures, like triglycerides (TG) or phospholipids [18]. According to the findings from clinical studies, these complex structures of EPA and DHA have proven greater intestinal absorbance and membrane incorporation in human tissues in comparison to simpler forms of ω-3 LCPUFA, like ethyl-ester (EE) [19,20].…”

“…In consequence, powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects after their supplementation have been documented [21,22]. Nevertheless, due to the novelty of these structures and their use in supplementation, their molecular mechanism of action still needs to be elucidated through in vitro and pre-clinical studies [18].…”