B vitamins and n-3 fatty acids for brain development and function: review of human studies

O. van de Rest, L.W.A. Hooijdonk, E.L. Doets, O.J.G. Schiepers, J.H.C. Eilander, C.P.G.M. de Groot

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

57 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Nutrition is one of many factors that affect brain development and functioning, and in recent years the role of certain nutrients has been investigated. B vitamins and n–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are two of the most promising and widely studied nutritional factors. Methods: In this review, we provide an overview of human studies published before August 2011 on how vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12 and n–3 PUFA may affect the brain, their nutrient status and the existing evidence for an association between these nutrients and brain development, brain functioning and depression during different stages of the life cycle. Results: No recommendation can be given regarding a role of B vitamins, either because the number of studies on B vitamins is too limited (pregnant and lactating women and children) or the studies are not consistent (adults and elderly). For n–3 PUFA, observational evidence may be suggestive of a beneficial effect; however, this has not yet been sufficiently replicated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Conclusions: We found that the existing evidence from observational studies as well as RCTs is generally too limited and contradictory to draw firm conclusions. More research is needed, particularly a combination of good-quality long-term prospective studies and well-designed RCTs
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)272-292
JournalAnnals of Nutrition & Metabolism
Volume60
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

Keywords

  • alpha-linolenic acid
  • long-chain omega-3-fatty-acids
  • randomized controlled-trials
  • quality-of-life
  • depressive symptoms
  • docosahexaenoic acid
  • alzheimers-disease
  • folic-acid
  • cognitive function
  • fish consumption

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