Nervonic Acid (NA)

Nervonic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. Nervonic acid has been identified as important in the biosynthesis of nerve cell myelin. It is found in the sphingolipids of white matter in human brain. Nervonic acid is used in the treatment of disorders involving demyelination, such as adrenoleukodystrophy and multiple sclerosis where there is a decreased level of nervonic acid in sphingolipids. NA and is not readily transferred across the placental barrier but does readily cross the mammary epithelium and is incorporated into milk SM. In addition, NA in milk appears to cross the intestinal epithelium where it is incorporated into the SM of heart and liver of suckling rats. An impairment in the provision of nervonic acid in demyelinating diseases is indicated, suggesting that dietary therapy with oils rich in very long chain monenoic acid fatty acids may be beneficial in such conditions.