In women with BRCA1/2 gene mutations, higher levels of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA in the blood are linked to lower levels of two biological markers that indicate a weakened intestinal barrier.
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
Eating foods rich in DHA raises its levels in the blood, which helps strengthen the seals between gut cells. This prevents harmful bacterial molecules from leaking into the bloodstream, which in turn lowers the body’s signals that the gut is damaged.
Most probable mechanism
When DHA from food enters the bloodstream, it gets incorporated into the cell membranes of the gut lining. This makes the seals between gut cells stronger, so fewer harmful bacterial molecules can leak through into the blood. As a result, the body produces less of the proteins that signal this leakage, indicating a healthier gut barrier.
Dietary intake of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) increases its concentration in plasma.
DHA is incorporated into the phospholipid bilayer of intestinal epithelial cell membranes.
Incorporated DHA enhances the expression and structural stability of tight junction proteins occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1).
Stabilized tight junctions reduce paracellular permeability, limiting translocation of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from the gut lumen into systemic circulation.
Reduced LPS translocation lowers the hepatic production of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) and decreases intestinal epithelial stress, resulting in reduced fecal zonulin levels.
Evidence from Studies
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