Benefits of using Omega-3 PUFAs in ASD and Alzheimer’s diseases

Diseases like autism or Alzheimer’s sound like a death sentence. It seems that nothing will help to improve the patient’s life. But this is not true! Nature has given us vitamins, minerals, and various nutrients that can better the lives of such people. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of using Omega-3 fatty acids for the treatment of autism and Alzheimer’s disorders.

What is Omega-3 PUFAs

It has long been known that nature creates the best medicines by itself, and a person only needs to understand how to use them. For example, thanks to the inquisitive mind of the Danish scientist Dr. Daierberg, medicine has discovered a unique natural medicine – Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). He wondered for a long time why the Eskimos are much less likely to suffer from cardiovascular and neurological diseases, although their diet consists of fatty foods that should cause these diseases. It turned out that the reason is in Omega-3 PUFAs. Together with his assistants, Dr. Daierberg stubbornly studied the blood tests of the Eskimos for 2 years, trying to find the key to the riddle. As a result, he discovered unknown substances – eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic fatty acids (1).

Since then, scientists have proven that Omega-3 PUFAs are a real medicine from nature with a wide range of possible uses in therapy. You can give a whole list of therapeutic areas and diseases where you can successfully use Omega-3, for example, in the composition of Asta-Omega 3®.

Omega-3 benefits for health

What are the benefits ofOmega-3 PUFAs for our organism?

• Omega-3 PUFAs are very useful for people with obvious cardiac disorders and their prevention, as they strengthen the vascular wall and help improve cholesterol metabolism and reduce its deposition on the walls of blood vessels. This helps reduce the likelihood of ischemic disease and restores normal blood circulation in the body (2).
• Omega-3 PUFAs have shown their effectiveness in ARVI and pneumonia, participating in the synthesis of cell membranes. This helps to resist viruses and bacteria and relieves the patient’s condition. Accordingly, Omega-3 PUFA can be used to strengthen the immune system, prevent and treat ARVI, in acute and chronic bronchopulmonary diseases.
• In gastroenterology, Omega-3 PUFAs have an anti-inflammatory effect and protect the mucous membrane. Therefore, Omega-3 is recommended for gastritis, erosive and ulcerative diseases of the stomach and duodenum (2).
• Also, Omega-3 PUFAs can significantly improve the condition of the skin and have shown a positive effect in restoring youthful skin and in the treatment of various dermatological diseases – psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, etc.
• And for those who want to lose weight and are just actively involved in sports, Omega-3 PUFA helps to improve fat metabolism and maintain fitness.

But in this article, we would like to pay special attention to the high efficiency of the use of Omega-3 PUFAs in diseases of the nervous system and in particular in such severe disorders as Alzheimer’s disease and autism.

Omega-3 PUFAs in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegeneration disorder characterized by progressive impairments of memory, language, reasoning, and other cognitive functions (3). And different evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may act as a possible protective factor in AD.

What is the mechanism of fatty acids’ action? They are essential for the proper functioning of blood vessels. Also, they reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, improve blood circulation, and have cardioprotective and antiarrhythmic properties. Moreover, polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce the severity of inflammatory processes in the body and improve tissue nutrition (4).

Recently, more and more data have appeared in the scientific literature on the protective effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the formation of cognitive disorders associated with aging. In May 2012, a scientific work published in the journal “Neurology” was added to the evidence-based on this fact (5).  

Previously published scientific papers have also repeatedly reported on the protective effect of Omega-3-PUFAs on the development of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (6). Thus, N. Scarmeas et al (2009) noted that the Mediterranean diet, characterized by the content of foods rich in Omega-3-PUFAs, significantly reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive impairments (7).

The same results were obtained by Y. Gu et al (2010) after conducting a prospective cohort study in which increased intake of Omega-3-PUFA reduced the risk of dementia by 20-30% (8).

So, taking Omega-3 PUFAs in Premium Asta Omega 3^® (for example, as a clean sustainable source of EPA, DHA, and antioxidants) you prevent dementia and neurodegeneration disorders! By the way, there is evidence that Omega 3 is much more effective in Alzheimer’s when taken with Vitamin B. Research says that adequate B vitamin status is required to obtain beneficial effects of Omega-3 PUFAs on cognition (9). This way, it will be beneficial for health to take together Premium Asta Omega 3^® and Neotosil^® – an innovative dietary supplement with a complex of bioavailable polyphenols and bioactive vitamins to fulfill the organism with vitamins and antioxidants.

Omega-3 PUFAs in autism

Since the mid-1980s, the rate of autism has increased dramatically around the world. In March 2020, the US Federal Centers for Disease Control announced that 1 in every 54 children in the United States is affected by autism (10). What is it and how does it manifest itself?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder with symptoms that appear within the first three years of life. Most children with autism look like other kids but they act and interact in ways that feel different from the behaviors of other children. When interacting with others, they may respond in unexpected ways, or they may not interact at all (10). And despite the active development of medicine and science, we still do not know how to treat such children to help them adapt to this world and not harm.

The researchers studied data from 27 trials involving 1,028 children with an autism spectrum disorder. The children were randomly selected to take a variety of supplements, including vitamins or omega-3s, or to take pacifiers instead (11). According to a review of the study, children with autism who take supplements with Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins may have fewer symptoms than children who do not.

Scientists suggest that neural tissue contains high concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and that this fatty acid is essential for the growth and functional development of the human brain (12). Studies have reported improvements in general health, sleeping patterns, cognitive ability, motor skills, concentration, eye contact, and sociability, as well as reductions in irritability, aggression, and hyperactivity among children with ASD following Omega-3 supplementation (13; 14).

Omega-3 and vitamin supplements have been effective in improving some symptoms, function, and clinical areas, according. The results of the trials varied but included improved language and social skills, reduced repetitive behavior, improved attention, reduced irritability, and behavioral difficulties, and improved sleep and communication (15).

The results of the recent investigation indicated that therapy with Omega-3 PUFA together with vitamin D reduced irritability symptoms in children with ASD. Vitamin D also reduced hyperactivity symptoms in these children (16). So, for better and faster effect Premium Asta Omega 3^® can be combined with Immunostar^®. This combination will not only help to reduce the symptoms of ASD but will help to fight viruses and bacteria!

Where to find the “perfect” Omega-3 PUFAs?

In an ideal world, we would receive Omega-3 PUFAs from food, but unfortunately, our diet and rhythm of life do not allow us to eat high-quality red fish daily and there is not always time for good nutrition in general. And to relieve the worry about the amount of Omega-3 that you eat was created Premium Asta Omega 3^®– the best choice between other Omega-3 supplements! Premium Asta Omega 3^® is a unique formula of 2750 mg Omega fatty acids, Vitamin E mixture, and Natural Astaxanthin from microalgae, that is essential for health and life quality. Premium Asta Omega 3^® modulates the immune response, lowers the risk of heart disease, depression, dementia, and arthritis, and will help to reduce inflammation, connected with Alzheimer’s disease and ASD both, protect nerve cells from damage.

Premium Asta Omega 3^® has approved quality and consists of 100% pure triglycerides, has no oxidized oils, heavy metals, toxins, and GMOs.

To resume, although we still do not know how to treat serious diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and autism, we have nature-given tools to improve the lives of such patients to help them live life to the fullest!

Dr. Oksana Klymenko MD., PhD, Medical Doctor,

Researcher in the fields of molecular physiology and pathophysiology,

molecular biology, genetics, cell biology

References

1. The omega-3 pioneer. 27-Nov-2007 By Stephen Daniells https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/article/2007/11/27/the-omega-3-pioneer
2. Gammone, Maria Alessandra et al. “Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Benefits and Endpoints in Sport.” Nutrients vol. 11,1 46. 27 Dec. 2018, doi:10.3390/nu11010046 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6357022/
3. Canhada S, Castro K, Perry IS, Luft VC. Omega-3 fatty acids’ supplementation in Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review. Nutr Neurosci. 2018 Oct;21(8):529-538. doi: 10.1080/1028415X.2017.1321813. Epub 2017 May 3. PMID: 28466678. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28466678/
4. Philip C. Calder, Mechanisms of Action of (n-3) Fatty Acids, The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 142, Issue 3, March 2012, Pages 592S–599S, https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.111.155259
5. Gu, Y et al. “Nutrient intake and plasma β-amyloid.” Neurology vol. 78,23 (2012): 1832-40. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3369517/
6. Brooks M. (2012) Omega-3-Rich Diet May Protect Against Alzheimer`s Disease. Medscape (www.medscape.com/viewarticle/763345
7. Scarmeas N., Stern Y., Mayeux R. et al. (2009) Mediterranean diet and mild cognitive impairment. Arch. Neurol., 66(2): 216–225 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2653223/
8. Gu Y., Nieves J.W., Stern Y. et al. (2010) Food combination and Alzheimer disease risk: a protective diet. Arch. Neurol., 67(6): 699–706 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3029147/
9. Jernerén F, Cederholm T, Refsum H, Smith AD, et al. Homocysteine Status Modifies the Treatment Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cognition in a Randomized Clinical Trial in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease: The OmegAD Study. J Alzheimers Dis. 2019;69(1):189-197. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30958356/
10. https://www.autism.org/is-it-autism/
11. David Fraguas, Covadonga M. Díaz-Caneja, Laura Pina-Camacho et al. Dietary Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis. Pediatrics November 2019, 144 (5) e20183218; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-3218
12. Freeman MP, Hibbeln JR, Wisner KL, Davis JM, Mischoulon D, Peet M et al2006. Omega-3 fatty acids: evidence basis for treatment and future research in psychiatry. J Clin Psychiatry 2006; 67: 1954–1967. https://www.psychiatrist.com/jcp/bipolar/complementary/omega-fatty-acids-evidence-basis-treatment-future/
13. Amminger GP, Berger GE, Schafer MR, Klier C, Friedrich MH, Feucht M. Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in children with autism: a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study. Biol Psychiatry 2005; 61: 551–553. https://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(06)00591-9/fulltext
14. Bent S, Bertoglio K, Ashwood P, Bostrom A, Hendren RL . A pilot randomized controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids for autism spectrum disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2011; 41: 545–554. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10803-010-1078-8
15. Cheng, Yu-Shian et al. “Supplementation of omega 3 fatty acids may improve hyperactivity, lethargy, and stereotypy in children with autism spectrum disorders: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment vol. 13 2531-2543. 4 Oct. 2017, doi:10.2147/NDT.S147305 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5634395/
16. Mazahery H, Conlon CA, Beck KL, et al. A randomised controlled trial of vitamin D and omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the treatment of irritability and hyperactivity among children with autism spectrum disorder. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2019 Mar;187:9-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2018.10.017. Epub 2018 Oct 26. PMID: 30744880. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30744880/