Fatty Acids
Part 4

How fat consumption can influence the course of HD

How fat affects people with HD

Nerve cell Communication

Excessive consumption of saturated fat and trans fat can be particularly hazardous for people with HD. Even without any dietary influences, the HD disease process causes some nerve cells in the brain to become less able to communicate with each other, which contributes to these nerve cells losing function and eventually dying. Consuming excessive amounts of saturated fat can worsen this situation by making it even harder for nerve cells to communicate with each other via neurotransmitters. If the nerve cell membrane consists of too much saturated fat or trans fat, the nerve cell may be unable to receive messages from neurotransmitters. Often, these messages are essential for the survival of the cell. (For more information on the neurobiology of HD, click here.) Thus, it is clear that the amount and type of fat in the diet may influence the ability of nerve cells to survive. Replacing saturated fat and trans fat with unsaturated fat in the diet can enhance the ability of the nerve cell membrane to pass along necessary messages. It can also increase the fluidity of the nerve cell membrane, which makes it easier for the nerve cell to receive an adequate supply of oxygen and other essential nutrients. With the nerve cell membrane functioning as efficiently as possible, the nerve cell may be better able to deal with the harmful effects of HD. Thus, it may be possible for a person with HD to delay the onset and progression of HD symptoms simply by altering his or her fat consumption.

Oxidative stress

In addition to negatively affecting membrane function, a diet high in saturated fat may also induce oxidative stress and decrease levels of a protein known to assist in nerve cell survival called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Increased oxidative stress and decreased BDNF would be highly damaging to a person with HD. When trying to combat a neurodegenerative disease such as HD, maximizing levels of BDNF is ideal because it may help combat the damage done by the disease. Thus, in the interest of maintaining levels of BDNF, one might consider limiting one´s consumption of saturated fat. In addition, keeping oxidative stress to a minimum is important for people with HD. Oxidative stress, a harmful process that injures cells and eventually causes them to die as a result of free radical damage, is thought to contribute significantly to the disease process of HD. (For more information about free radicals and HD, click here.) Although a certain amount of oxidative stress will inevitably occur due to aging, it is important for people with HD to be conscientious about not worsening oxidative stress from the food they eat. Since diet is a very controllable aspect of one´s lifestyle, limiting consumption of saturated fats is a great way for people with HD to ensure that they do not aggravate the damaging processes in their nerve cells any further. Although much more research needs to be done in this area, it seems likely that adjusting for less saturated fat in one´s diet could significantly slow down the progression of HD.

Last Modified: 04/12/2007

An educational product of HOPES, not to be used in place of medical care. For more information about HOPES, click on the Logo. To contact HOPES with comments or questions, click here.