How fat consumption can influence the course of HD
A wrap-up on fatty acids and HD
Fats play a significant role in the brain. Specifically, the amount and type of fat one consumes directly affects the composition of nerve cellmembranes. The composition of nerve cell membranes is especially important for people with HD because it has the potential to protect the nerve cell from damage. Too much saturated fat or trans fat in the diet leads to stiff, rigid membranes and a loss of membrane fluidity. In addition, too much saturated fat and trans fat alters the shape and size of the nerve cell membrane, which ultimately makes it so that the nerve cells are less able to communicate with each other. By replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat in the diet, a person with HD can help his or her nerve cell membranes to function as efficiently as possible. Furthermore, certain types of unsaturated fat are more beneficial than others. In particular, the essential fatty acid (EFA) called ALA, which leads to DHA as described above, is the most abundant and perhaps most important in the brain. Because ALA competes with LA, one must limit one´s consumption of LA in order to ensure adequate amounts of ALA.
In short, the research reviewed in this chapter indicates that a person with HD should strive to reduce the amount of saturated fat and trans fat in his or her diet and to increase the ratio of ALA to LA in his or her diet in order to ensure the optimal functioning of the nerve cell membranes. Better functioning membranes means healthier nerve cells and having healthier nerve cells may well postpone the onset of HD symptoms.
Last Modified: 05/22/2009
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