A recent study has found a relationship between fatty acids Omega 3present in foods such as oily fish or nuts, and the capacity of attention in teenagersas well as their degree of impulsiveness.
fatty acids Omega 3 They are a family of polyunsaturated fats, among which docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) stand out, although there are six in total.
In general, DHA and EPA are found in large amounts in oily fish and fish oils. Specialists from the Spanish Society of Dietetics and Food Sciences (SEDCA) point out that among the foods richest in these fatty acids are salmon, mackerel, fresh tuna, herring, sardines and anchovies.
For its part, alpha-linolenic acid is present in foods of plant origin, especially in chia and flax seeds and nuts. Although to a lesser extent, it is also found in other nuts, seeds, and some legumes. “In the case of the seeds, it is important to highlight that, for a better use and assimilation, they should be consumed ground, crushed or soaked for at least one hour. This is because, if we consume them raw, we waste part of it because it cannot be absorbed at the intestinal level”, the SEDCA experts point out.
fatty acids Omega 3 They perform various functions in our body. “They are important components of the membranes that surround every cell in the body. DHA concentrations are especially high in the retina, brain, and sperm. The Omega 3 They also provide calories to give the body energy and have many functions in the heart, blood vessels, lungs, the immune system, and the endocrine system. ).
The capacity of attention of the teenagers
The contributions of fatty acids were already known Omega 3 for cardiovascular health, the regulation of blood lipids or its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory role, among other benefits. But, in addition, a recent study carried out by ISGlobal and the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute has found that DHA is associated with a greater capacity of attention selective and sustained teenagerswhile alpha-linolenic acid is associated with lower impulsivity.
During adolescence, relevant structural and functional changes occur in the brain, especially in the prefrontal area, which plays an important role in attention control. On the other hand, it is known that fatty acids Omega 3 They are essential for the proper development and functioning of the brain. The most abundant in the brain, particularly in the prefrontal zone, is DHA, which is acquired through the consumption of fatty fish.
Despite the known importance of DHA in brain development, few studies have evaluated whether it plays a role in the capacity of attention of teenagers healthy,” says Jordi Júlvez, coordinator of the study. “In addition, the possible role of alpha-linoleic acid, another Omega 3 but of vegetable origin, it has not been so widely studied,” he adds.
The objective of the study carried out by ISGlobal and the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute was to determine if a higher consumption of DHA and alpha-linolenic acid was associated with a greater capacity of attention in a group of 332 teenagers from different schools in Barcelona (northeast Spain).
To do this, the participants were subjected to computerized tests that measure reaction times to determine the capacity of attention selective and sustained, the inhibition capacity before distracting stimuli and impulsivity. In addition, they answered a series of questions about dietary habits and gave blood samples to analyze their DHA and ALA levels.
The results showed that higher DHA levels are associated with greater capacity of attention selective and sustained, as well as with a greater capacity to inhibit themselves in the face of distractions. In contrast, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) was not associated with capacity of attentionbut with less impulsiveness.
“The role of ALA in attention is not yet clear, but this finding may be clinically relevant, since impulsivity is a characteristic of various psychiatric disorders, such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder),” explains Ariadna Pinar. -Martí, first author of the study.
“Our study indicates that dietary DHA most likely plays a role in tasks that require attention, but more is needed. studies to confirm a cause-effect, particularly to understand the role of the ALA”, emphasizes Jordi Júlvez.
However, the findings of this research add to existing evidence on the importance of consuming fatty fish, the main source of DHA, at a crucial stage of brain development, before reaching adulthood.
EFE-REPORTS / Purificación León
