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Nutritional Support for Myelin Sheath

The myelin sheath is a fatty collection of cells coating each neuron of the brain. Because fat inhibits electricity, the myelin sheath protects neurons from electrical activity and increases the rate of transmission of important signals in the brain by making them jump from one neuron to the other. Health and nutrition play a great role in the development and maintenance of the myelin sheath, so a good diet is essential to the good functioning of your brain.

  1. About Myelin Sheath

    • According to the Franklin Institute, the myelin sheath is composed of 30 percent protein and 70 percent fat. For this reason, the myelin sheath has a whitish appearance, which gives the brain its pale color. The myelin sheath is composed of gaps and nodes between which electrical signals travel at a fast rate. The Franklin Institute estimates that rate to be as fast as 400 feet per second. The main function of myelin sheath is therefore to support neuron processes and speed brain functioning.

    Nutritional Needs

    • Because the myelin sheath is composed mainly of fat, the brain needs a diet rich in essential fats from a variety of healthy sources. The most common fatty acid in myelin is called oleic acid and is found in olive oil, almonds, pecans, macadamias, peanuts, avocadoes and human milk. Other essential lipids are Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, included in walnuts, sunflower seeds, seafood and leafy green vegetables. Eating from these food sources every day ensures that your myelin sheath has all the necessary nutrients to work properly.

    Malnutrition

    • According to Dr. Eric H. Chudler from the National Center for Research Resources and creator of Neuroscience for Kids, a diet poor in Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids can lead to a variety of physical and psychological problems. For example, a lack of these essential fats may cause visual problems, learning disabilities, motor problems and neurotransmitter imbalances. An imbalance of fatty acids has also been linked to several neurological problems such as hyperactivity, depression and even schizophrenia. Luckily, some malnutrition effects can be repaired by a healthier diet.

    Myelin Sheath Disorder

    • Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disorder in which the myelin sheath withers away in patches throughout the brain. Because the myelin sheath is damaged in individuals with multiple sclerosis, the destruction or loss of myelin sheath may show us exactly what it is good for. As the Multiple Sclerosis Society explains, individuals suffering from this disease commonly undergo a disruption of motor control, followed by speech disturbances, visual disturbances, cognitive impairments, emotional changes and depression--symptoms not unlike the effects of malnutrition upon myelin sheath.

    Considerations

    • As Chudler points out, the study of how nutrition affects myelin sheath is relatively new and experiments looking at how nutrition interacts with the brain are difficult to conduct because of several other factors that may confound experimental results. For example, the environment plays a great role in brain development, so changes in behavior may not be only due to malnutrition. Plus, education, social and family problems may also cause physical and psychological problems similar to malnutrition and myelin sheath impairment.

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