Fish oil: effects of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids supplementation in maternal milk composition and seric lipidic metabolism

• Grant number: 07/07245-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2008
• End date: September 30, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nutrition - Nutritional Analysis of Population
• Principal Investigator: Pérola Ribeiro
• Grantee: Pérola Ribeiro
• Host Institution: Universidade São Francisco (USF). Campus Bragança Paulista. Bragança Paulista , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are crucial for the good functioning of the brain that presents high concentrations of these composites, which will determine the structural and functional properties of its cellular and sub-cellular membranes. The most important gifts PUFA in the neuronal membranes are docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA), which are incorporated by the cellular membranes during the intrauterine development and in the after birth life. However, in the adult life, the adult brain has been described as resistant in modifying its composition in PUFA and storing DHA and AA during the ingestion of a deficient diet in omega-6 and omega-3. The DHA plays an important role in the cerebral metabolism influencing cognitive development, visual acuity, neurotransmitters metabolism and neural development. The drawn out deficiency leads to the changes in the cerebral composition of PUFA causing loss of the learning ability and, during the neuronal development, it could be responsible for the loss of neurological memory or illnesses in the adult life. In sight of the displayed one, the objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of the supplementation of PUFA omega 3 and omega 6 in lipid metabolism and in maternal milk composition in pregnant. A hundred pregnant, that frequent the Hospital Sao Francisco (HUSF), located in Sao Francisco University, Bragança Paulista city (SP), will be evaluated. Pregnant will be divided in 2 groups: Control Group (n=25): pregnant will receive capsules of primula oil content omega-6 PUFA. Fish Oil Group (n=25): pregnant will receive capsules from commercial fish oil content omega-3 PUFA. A questionnaire for socio-economic characterization and food consume will be applied. It will be collected pregnant blood to biochemists analyses. Pregnant will receive omega-6 or omega-3 capsules that will be eating during 15 days consecutives. After this time, will be applied a questionnaire to obtain food consume and pregnant blood will be collected to biochemists analyses. (AU)