Considerations regarding neuropsychiatric nutritional requirements for intakes of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids

Abstract

Background: Adverse neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric outcomes have been established as signs of nutrient deficiencies and may be applicable to insufficient dietary intakes of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFAs).

Objective: Consider if statistical definitions for Daily Reference Intakes can be applied to n-3 HUFAs intakes during pregnancy for maternal and neurodevelopmental deficiencies.

Design: Data were prospectively collected from women during pregnancy and children up to age 8 years participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Statistical analyses took social and lifestyle factors into account.

Results: During pregnancy, n-3 HUFA intakes from seafood that putatively meet statistical definitions of an estimated average requirement ranged from 0.05 to 0.06 en% (111-139 mg/d/2000 Cal) for suboptimal fine motor control at 42 m and 0.065-0.08 en% (114-181 mg/d/2000 Cal) for suboptimal verbal IQ at age 8 years and 0.18-0.22 en% (389-486 mg/d/2000 Cal) for maternal depression at 32 weeks. Intakes of n-3 ranging from 0.2 to 0.41 en% (445-917 mg/d/2000 Cal) prevented both increased risk of maternal depression and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes for children among 97.5% of the population. No upper limit for safety was found.

Conclusion: During pregnancy, a n-3 HUFA intake of 0.40 en% (900 mg/d/2000 Cal) from seafood is likely to meet the nutritional requirements for 97.5% of the mothers and children of this population. These considerations do not constitute DRI's for docosahexaenoic acid and n-3 HUFAs, but may contribute to their formulation.

Figure 1. Estimation of Average Requirements comparing -3 LCFA intakes to risk of inadequacy

illustrates the risk curve the level of maternal n-3 LCFA intake at 32 w gestation to the risk of suboptimal verbal IQ for children at age 8 y among the ALSPAC population. The putative Estimated Average requirement is the cut point of maternal intake where the risk of inadequacy for the children is nearly equal for the group below the cut point compared to the group above the cut point. Multivatiate logistic regression models were used to adjust for potential confounding variables among the groups of mothers above and below each cut point. An adjusted odds ratio β= 1.0 would indicate a precisely 50:50 risk of inadequacy comparing the groups above and below the cut point. A dietary intake of 0.065 en% provide the best fit with an adjusted odds ratio β= 1.02.