Nervonic acid is gaining popularity as treatment for neurological disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's. This long chain fatty acid (also called tetracosanoic acid, selacholeic acid and a monounsaturated analog of lignoceric acid) has proven to repair the damaged brain nerve pathways and promote regeneration of nerve cells. Scientists are excited about the possibilities it shows in treatment of neurological diseases and reducing inflammatory cells in the body.
It's clear why Science Direct shared that Nervonic Acid can be an effective in the treatment for schizophrenia, psychosis, peroxisomal disorders, diabetes, alcoholism and other conditions.
It's exciting as we learn more About essential amino acids and how fatty acid supplementation improves our health. Fatty acid metabolism and it's affects on biological functions including myelin protein synthesis are bound to be hot topics over the next few years.
What Is Nervonic Acid?
Nervonic acid is an essential oil and is one of the 20 total fatty acids found in food. Nervonic acid attenuates accumulation of very long chain fatty acids
Unlike saturated fatty acids such as palmitic acid or stearic acid which has shown to cause cardiovascular diseases, Nervonic acid is a very long chain fatty acid used to restore Myelin in the brain and nervous system.
The name comes from the latin word nervus, meaning nerve or sinew. It is a natural component in some seed oils, corn oil, and some fish oils. It is more prevalent in niche crop plants.
Nervonic acid production has been synthesized in plants. It is a major component of fatty acids in multiple seed oils. The average nervonic acid content is high the Lunaria species. The fatty acid composition is a key component in many ongoing studies.
Nervonic acid is an important member of the group of the fatty acid cerebrosides. The molecular mechanisms are a close cousin of oleic acid and a precursor to erucic acid. It is a derivative of linoleic acid.
Nervonic acid is also found in breast milk and has been recommended in the maternal diet to help speed up the early stage development of the human brain tissue much like conjugated linoleic acid.
It is the raw material for myelin sheath generation.
What is the Myelin basic protein and the Myelin Sheath?
Myelin is the insulating layer made up of fatty acids and protein. The myelin proteins provide insulation for biochemical reactions. The sheath is key to promoting human health by allowing electrical impulses to transmit along the neural cells. The lipid metabolism is a highly demanding process.
Breakdown of the myelin sheath has adverse effects on human health and significantly higher levels of demyelination diseases. Breakdown of the sheath slows down the electrical impulses and efficient transmission. Myelin synthesis is key to overall health of neural cell membranes. When we see neural disease progression, it's the slowing of these impulses.
Causes of Low Levels of nervonic acid
Nervonic acid is essential for brain development. High carbohydrate diets that decrease fatty acid synthesis have been linked to low levels of nerve acid and other neurological diseases.
Further analysis is being done to look at links between decreased nervonic acid levels and diseases of the human brain.
Benefits of Nervonic Acid
Nervonic acid containing fats have a number of use cases in protecting brain nerve fibers. The fatty acid profiles have been linked to improved myelin synthesis, which is key to growing brain tissue and muting the effects of multiple sclerosis.
Nervonic acid does not cross the blood brain barrier, but it can repair damaged brain nerve pathways and help aide in the regeneration of nerve cells. Nervonic acid may also be an effective treatment to disease such as schizophrenia, psychosis, peroxisomal disorders, diabetes, alcoholism and other conditions.
There is more research and statistical analysis being done for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications of nervonic acid as well as other major fatty acids.
Long chain fatty acids may also promote healthy function of the central nervous system.
Nervonic acid has been reported to reduce the shaking associated with Parkinson's disease and the numbness caused by multiple sclerosis according to the US Department Of Health and Human Services.
Nervonic acid has also been shown to decrease obesity in a diet high in animal fat.
Dietary Supplementation with Nervonic Acid
Nervonic acid is concentrated in the white matter of our brains, myelin sheaths and in peripheral nervous tissue. There are few dietary supplements currently on the market today.
Once source supplementation purpleblow maple tree seed with the supplement Nervidyne.
Nervidyne contains 98% nervonic acid extract mixed with lion’s mane mushroom extract.
Click here to read more about Nervidyne
Conclusion: Fatty Acid Composition In The Spotlight
More research studies are being performed around nervonic acid synthesis, lipid composition, and overall levels of health. We are learning that essential fatty acids are key to repairing cell membranes and our overall health.
Scientists continue to find links to polyunsaturated fatty acids and an improvement of overall health. Nervonic acid along with improving ones diet is showing positive improvement. Nervonic Acids also have shown to limit weight gain and other obesity related risk factors in mouse studies.
Some of the most exciting areas of research of Nervonic acid is slowing the disease progression of neurodegenerative and neurological diseases.
We are learning that fatty acid composition is quite important. Some fatty acids can decrease biological functions and increase coronary risk factors like palmitic and stearic acid. Other serum unsaturated fatty acids can have the opposite effect and help the body regenerate.
Further Reading on Nervonic Acid and other very long chain fatty acids
Localization of nervonic acid beta-oxidation in human and rodent peroxisomes: Impaired oxidation in Zellweger syndrome and X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy
Very interesting research on nervonic acid beta oxidation in human and rodent peroxisomes.
You can also read more about seed oil content and the average oil content in plants:
Nervonic Acid Production in Plants
Nervonic acid limits weight gain in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity
*Updated Oct 24