Apparently several studies have independently reached the conclusion that trans-fats are linked to depression. (http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet…127-1a6vy.html)
| Spanish researchers who followed 12,059 people over six years, analysing their diets, lifestyles and medical problems found those who ate the most trans fats, which are commonly found in pastries and fast food, had a 48 per cent higher risk of depression than those who did not eat trans fats. |
I find this intriguing because I googled such a link after knowing that
1) trans-fats have been known to substitute for DHA in the body (thereby lowering DHA levels) and in the brain, when mice were fed experimental diets from 2-16 months of age High dietary consumption of trans fatty acids d… [Neuroscience. 2009] – PubMed – NCBI
| Very high TFA consumption substantially modified the brain fatty acid profile by increasing mono-unsaturated fatty acids and decreasing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Very high TFA intake induced a shift from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) toward n-6 docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5n-6) without altering the n-3:n-6 PUFA ratio in the cortex of both control and 3xTg-AD mice. |
2) brains examined postmortem from 15 major depressive suicides were found to have significantly depressed DHA levels in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) (source) and one knows the OFC is involved in reward, expectation and empathy, which are all impacted during a mood disorder.
| After correction for multiple comparisons, the omega-3 fatty acid DHA was the only fatty acid that was significantly different (−22%) in the postmortem orbitofrontal cortex of MDD patients relative to normal controls. Deficits in DHA concentrations were greater in female MDD patients (−32%) than in male MDD patients (−16%), and could not be wholly attributed to lifestyle factors or postmortem tissue variables. |
On the flip side:
*Though reduced DHA levels are also associated with Alzheimer’s, they don’t affect tau and and amyloid-beta protein concentrations.
* 30% trans-fat intake for 10 weeks in fetal or pregnant rats was found to reduce DHA somatically but not in the brain Dietary trans fatty acids affect docosahexaenoic acid concentrations in plasma and liver but… – Abstract – UK PubMed Central
However, trans-fats as I recall, are difficult to metabolise or excrete, so they can accumulate in the brain. Perhaps they do not have time to significantly accumulate in the rat if only fed for ten weeks to show any impact on brain DHA profiles, but show up in mice when they are fed experimental diets for 14 months.
I’ve been trying to figure what is wrong with me; sometimes I suspect brain lesions — but perhaps it is diet, too. (I’m skinny though, so I would haven’t have suspected trans-fats as a link to depression, though I eat a lot of fatty foods.)
5 comments
Very interesting
OMG Evariste,
you are a friggin’ genious…lol…after I was given the prognosis of less than 6 months in Dec. 2000….I went all health food conscious….lol….cut out all fat, sugar, yeast…etc…did the whole cleanse thing etc…and now that you post this…I remember how much more positive my thoughts were during that time….but then I got involved in another co-dependent relationship…and his diet was all trans-fats…i was just bitching about low fat peanut butter on here the other night…lol…so just wow….time to clean out my cupboards and fridge again….lol…what do I have to lose but melancholy?…
Thanks for the heads up
Namaste
Amakua
It’s interesting. I think I agree that a healthy diet can improve your mood. Especially if combined with regular strenuous exercise.
I wouldn’t get too worked up about it, however. If your depression is mild, this might really help, otherwise, it’ll most likely only take the top off it.
Evariste great stuff, thank you so much for posting this.
OMG Amakua…I too made big dietary changes and have had big improvements however last two years become a total sloth, no exercise what so ever. I have gone on ‘where have all the good nut s gone ? rants myself..sung to the tune of where have all the coyboys gone..lets chuckle about that sometime…
Can I evict trans-fats from my brian, get em off my mind?, pass em like bad gas?
Will good fats consume the bad ones and spit em out my ears?
Yes the good fats create a sheath around the long transmitting neural connections and allow conduction to go quickly …. or to happen at all.
Exercise lays down wires and the good fats help build those wires and also help them then conduct accurately and quickly.
I believe love connections make the biggest badest stickiest neuronal super multiplexes that spark a fireworks of brain bulk.
Physical Factoids:
Myelin, the protective sheath that covers communicating neurons, is composed of 30% protein and 70% fat. One of the most common fatty acids in myelin is oleic acid, which is also the most abundant fatty acid in human milk and in our diet.
Monosaturated oleic acid is the main component of olive oil as well as the oils from almonds, pecans, macadamias, peanuts, and avocados.
The membranes of neurons – the specialized brain cells that communicate with each other – are composed of a thin double-layer of fatty acid molecules. Fatty acids are what dietary fats are composed of. When you digest the fat in your food, it is broken down into fatty acid molecules of various lengths. Your brain then uses these for raw materials to assemble the special types of fat it incorporates into its cell membranes.
Cell membranes are where transmissions from one to neuron to another occur (giving you those ah ha moments or ‘Wow dragon fly wings are mini marvels of stained glass!’ conections) and healthy membranes not only mean healthy connectivity but also a healthy boarder through which neutrients and waste products can come and go as needed.
Ok and more food for thought per http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/fats.html#faintelligence
Gorge on this:
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential Building Materials–To build brain cells you need fatty acids. Two kinds of fatty acids are considered “essential,” which means you must get these essential fatty acids (EFAs) from the food you eat. Your body cannot manufacture them.
The first essential fatty acid you need is Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is the foundation of the “omega-3” family of fatty acids. Food sources of omega-3 ALA include flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, sea vegetables, green leafy vegetables, and cold water fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, and trout.
The second essential fatty acid you need is Linoleic acid (LA). LA is the foundation of the “omega-6” family of fatty acids. Food sources of omega-6 LA include expeller cold-pressed sunflower, safflower, corn, and sesame oils.
topics
How You Make DHA
From ALA and LA, your brain can make (docosahexaenoic acid) DHA and (arachidonic acid) AA the longer chained fatty acids that are incorporated in its cell membranes. These more complex fatty acids are also available, preformed, directly from food.
This is important, because the brain’s ability to assemble these fatty acids can be compromised by stress, infections, alcohol, excess sugar, and vitamin or mineral deficiencies – factors common today.
topics
Effects of DHA Loss
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is the most abundant fat in the brain. Loss in DHA concentrations in brain cell membranes correlates to a decline in structural and functional integrity of this tissue.
Also, the oxidative damage that comes with age causes a decline in membrane DHA concentrations, and with it, cognitive impairment.
A Bacopa/tryptophan combo in the evenings and a mucuna/tyrosine combo in the mornings also can help take the edge off.
Ashwaghanda is good and pure Schisandra berries are great too.
1-5 grams of DHA daily seem to help a of of people too. As well as aid in weight loss. Takes a long time to settle in though because natural substances are not as powerful as pharmaceuticals.