The Effect of Very-Long-Chain <i>n</i>-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Central Nervous System and Their Potential Benefits for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder: Reviewing Pre-Clinical and Clinical Data
Alcohol use poses a significant global health concern, leading to serious physical and socioeconomic issues worldwide. The current treatment options for problematic alcohol consumption are limited, leading to the exploration of alternative approaches, such as nutraceuticals. One promising target is...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/13/2993 |
| _version_ | 1797591052879659008 |
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| author | Francisca Carvajal Ainhoa Sánchez-Gil Diana Cardona Miguel Angel Rincón-Cervera Jose Manuel Lerma-Cabrera |
| author_facet | Francisca Carvajal Ainhoa Sánchez-Gil Diana Cardona Miguel Angel Rincón-Cervera Jose Manuel Lerma-Cabrera |
| author_sort | Francisca Carvajal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Alcohol use poses a significant global health concern, leading to serious physical and socioeconomic issues worldwide. The current treatment options for problematic alcohol consumption are limited, leading to the exploration of alternative approaches, such as nutraceuticals. One promising target is very-long-chain <i>n</i>-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs). This review aims to compile the most relevant pre-clinical and clinical evidence on the effect of VLC <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs on alcohol use disorders and related outcomes. The findings suggest that VLC <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs may alleviate the physiological changes induced by alcohol consumption, including neuroinflammation and neurotransmitter dysregulation. Additionally, they can reduce withdrawal symptoms, improve mood, and reduce stress level, all of which are closely associated with problematic alcohol consumption. However, more research is required to fully understand the precise mechanisms by which VLC <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs exert their function. Furthermore, PUFAs should not be considered a standalone solution, but as a complement to other therapeutic approaches. Although preliminary evidence supports the potential therapeutic effect of VLC <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs on problematic alcohol consumption, additional research is needed to validate these findings and determine the optimal use of PUFAs as part of a comprehensive approach to the treatment of alcohol use disorders. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:32:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-47af3c8b7014411e8ae138fbb6c5bd46 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:32:12Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-47af3c8b7014411e8ae138fbb6c5bd462023-11-18T17:15:30ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432023-06-011513299310.3390/nu15132993The Effect of Very-Long-Chain <i>n</i>-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Central Nervous System and Their Potential Benefits for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder: Reviewing Pre-Clinical and Clinical DataFrancisca Carvajal0Ainhoa Sánchez-Gil1Diana Cardona2Miguel Angel Rincón-Cervera3Jose Manuel Lerma-Cabrera4Department of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, SpainDepartment of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, SpainHealth Research Center, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, SpainFood Technology Division, ceiA3, CIAMBITAL, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, SpainDepartment of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, SpainAlcohol use poses a significant global health concern, leading to serious physical and socioeconomic issues worldwide. The current treatment options for problematic alcohol consumption are limited, leading to the exploration of alternative approaches, such as nutraceuticals. One promising target is very-long-chain <i>n</i>-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs). This review aims to compile the most relevant pre-clinical and clinical evidence on the effect of VLC <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs on alcohol use disorders and related outcomes. The findings suggest that VLC <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs may alleviate the physiological changes induced by alcohol consumption, including neuroinflammation and neurotransmitter dysregulation. Additionally, they can reduce withdrawal symptoms, improve mood, and reduce stress level, all of which are closely associated with problematic alcohol consumption. However, more research is required to fully understand the precise mechanisms by which VLC <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs exert their function. Furthermore, PUFAs should not be considered a standalone solution, but as a complement to other therapeutic approaches. Although preliminary evidence supports the potential therapeutic effect of VLC <i>n</i>-3 PUFAs on problematic alcohol consumption, additional research is needed to validate these findings and determine the optimal use of PUFAs as part of a comprehensive approach to the treatment of alcohol use disorders.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/13/2993<i>n</i>-3 PUFADHAEPADPAalcohol use disordernutraceutical compound |
| spellingShingle | Francisca Carvajal Ainhoa Sánchez-Gil Diana Cardona Miguel Angel Rincón-Cervera Jose Manuel Lerma-Cabrera The Effect of Very-Long-Chain <i>n</i>-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Central Nervous System and Their Potential Benefits for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder: Reviewing Pre-Clinical and Clinical Data Nutrients <i>n</i>-3 PUFA DHA EPA DPA alcohol use disorder nutraceutical compound |
| title | The Effect of Very-Long-Chain <i>n</i>-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Central Nervous System and Their Potential Benefits for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder: Reviewing Pre-Clinical and Clinical Data |
| title_full | The Effect of Very-Long-Chain <i>n</i>-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Central Nervous System and Their Potential Benefits for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder: Reviewing Pre-Clinical and Clinical Data |
| title_fullStr | The Effect of Very-Long-Chain <i>n</i>-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Central Nervous System and Their Potential Benefits for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder: Reviewing Pre-Clinical and Clinical Data |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Effect of Very-Long-Chain <i>n</i>-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Central Nervous System and Their Potential Benefits for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder: Reviewing Pre-Clinical and Clinical Data |
| title_short | The Effect of Very-Long-Chain <i>n</i>-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Central Nervous System and Their Potential Benefits for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder: Reviewing Pre-Clinical and Clinical Data |
| title_sort | effect of very long chain i n i 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the central nervous system and their potential benefits for treating alcohol use disorder reviewing pre clinical and clinical data |
| topic | <i>n</i>-3 PUFA DHA EPA DPA alcohol use disorder nutraceutical compound |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/13/2993 |
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