Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 15.2
A Partial List of Human Afflictions that have been Linked to DHA.
ADHD
Depression
Multiple sclerosis
Aggression
Dermatitis
Neurovisual development
Alcoholism
Diabetes
Nephropathy
Alzheimer's disease
Dyslexia
Periodontitis
Arthritis
Eczema
Phenylketonuria
Asthma
Fertility
Placental function
Atrial fibrillation
Gingivitis
Psoriasis
Autism
Heart disease
Respiratory diseases
Bipolar disorder
Hypersensitivity
Schizophrenia
Blindness
Inflammatory response
Sperm fertility
Blood clotting
Kidney disease
Suicide
Bone mineral density
Lupus
Ulcerative colitis
Brain development
Malaria
Visual acuity
Cancer
Methylmelonic acidemia
Zellweger's syndrome
Crohn's disease
Migraine headaches
Elasticity
Cystic fibrosis
Mood and behavior
TABLE 15.3
Lipid Physical Properties Affecting Membrane Structure and Function that
Occur When a Single Double Bond is Added to a Saturated Acyl Chain.
Phase transition temperature
Membrane permeability
Phase preference
Lateral diffusion rate
'Fluidity'
Flip-flop rate
Area/molecule
Lipid
e
lipid affinity
Lipid packing
Lipid protein affinity
Packing free volume
Interaction with cholesterol
Compressibility
Lipid microdomain formation and stability
'Squeeze out'
Susceptibility to phospholipases
Bilayer thickness
Susceptibility to peroxidation
DHA, omega-3 fatty acid, and fish oil capsules are commonly found in grocery and drug
stores. DHA is also included in many infant formulas, since it is known to accumulate in
the brain and eyes of the fetus, where it affects early visual acuity and enhances neural devel-
opment. DHA is also used as a component of parenteral (intravenous) and enteral (feeding
tube) nutrition.
