How Our Modern Diet’s Omega-6 to Omega-3 Balance Shifted From Our Ancestors’ Diet

This review paper looks at how the balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in the human diet has changed over the course of evolution. Researchers estimate that early humans consumed these two types of fats in roughly equal amounts (about 1:1), while modern Western diets have shifted dramatically toward omega-6, with ratios often reaching 10:1 to 25:1.

The authors explain that omega-6 and omega-3 fats cannot be converted into one another in the body and both are essential building blocks of cell membranes throughout the body, including the brain. DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, makes up about 40% of the fatty acids found in brain cell membranes and appears important for normal brain and eye development, especially in premature infants.

The paper also discusses how EPA and DHA may influence how brain cell membranes and receptors function, as well as neurotransmitter activity. It highlights emerging research exploring connections between these fatty acids and behavioral patterns like mood regulation, along with substance use research, though the review notes this is an evolving area of study.