The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Plant-Based Diets for Brain Health
Explore how DHA and EPA support brain function, and learn how plant-based omega-3s can help you maintain memory, focus, and cognitive health over time.
You’ve probably heard that omega-3s are good for your brain, and it’s true. These healthy fats play a big role in how we think, feel, and age. But if you follow a plant-based diet, getting the right kinds of omega-3s can be tricky. Most plant foods only contain ALA, a precursor to DHA and EPA, which are the forms your brain actually needs to thrive.1,2,3
In this article, we’ll break down why omega-3s are so important for cognitive function, why plant-based sources don’t always deliver enough, and how newer options like algae-based DHA can help fill the gap. Plus, we’ll look at how pairing omega-3s with brain-supportive nutrients like Cognizin® Citicoline can offer a more comprehensive approach to brain health.
Why Omega-3 Fatty Acids Matter for Brain Health
Your brain depends on certain fats to function at its best, and omega-3s are uniquely important for cognitive health. These essential fatty acids support memory, focus, mood, and overall cognitive function. Among the three main types – ALA, EPA, and DHA – it’s DHA and EPA that offer the most benefits for brain health.
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is one of the most abundant omega-3s in the brain, especially in areas that handle learning and memory. It plays a critical role in building brain cell membranes and keeping them flexible, which helps brain cells send and receive signals efficiently4,5
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), another important omega-3, is better known for its anti-inflammatory effects and its role in mood regulation. Research suggests EPA may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, in part by modulating inflammatory pathways and neurotransmitter signaling.6,7,8
A recent study highlights just how important these fatty acids are in midlife. A 2022 study published in Neurology found that adults with higher red blood cell levels of omega-3s, especially DHA, had larger hippocampal volumes and performed better on cognitive tests compared to those with lower levels. Some of these benefits were even more pronounced in people with a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The study findings indicate that maintaining healthy omega-3 levels in midlife may help protect the brain as we age and support long-term cognitive health. 2
However, your body produces very little DHA and EPA on its own, so your brain depends on your diet to supply them. For those following a plant-based lifestyle, meeting those needs can be more complicated than it seems.
Why Plant-Based Diets May Fall Short on DHA and EPA
One of the biggest nutritional hurdles for plant-based eaters is getting enough of the brain-essential omega-3s: DHA and EPA. While many plant-based foods, such as flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and walnuts, are rich in the fatty acid ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), your body has to convert ALA into DHA and EPA for the brain to actually use it. Unfortunately, the conversion process is inefficient, with estimates suggesting less than 15% gets converted.3,9
This means that even if you're eating plenty of ALA-rich foods, your brain might still be falling short on the forms of omega-3 it needs most. DHA, in particular, is highly concentrated in the cerebral cortex and gray matter, where it helps regulate communication between neurons.4,5,7 Research also suggests DHA promotes neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt, learn, and recover, which is especially important for long-term cognitive resilience.10,11
For those following a plant-based lifestyle, getting enough DHA can be difficult without fish or seafood. That’s why more people are turning to a reliable, vegan-friendly option that delivers DHA directly: algae.
Microalgae: A Plant-Based Brain Support Solution
Microalgae are one of the few plant-based sources of omega-3 DHA, making them a reliable choice for supporting brain health without relying on fish. In fact, fish get their DHA by eating algae, so going straight to the source is both efficient and sustainable.12
Algae-based DHA supplements give your brain what it needs without relying on your body to convert ALA. If you follow a vegetarian, vegan, or mostly plant-based diet, they offer a simple way to fill a common nutritional gap. They're also a great choice for anyone with a fish allergy or looking for a more sustainable option.
Research shows that algae-oil supplements can raise omega-3 DHA levels in the blood, particularly in people following plant-based diets who tend to start with lower levels. Unlike ALA, which requires conversion, this form delivers DHA directly, making it a smart, evidence-backed way for plant-based eaters to stay on top of their omega-3 intake.13
How Omega-3s and Cognizin® Work Together to Support Cognitive Health
Both DHA and Cognizin citicoline contribute to overall brain health, supporting key aspects of brain structure, neural signaling, and cognitive function. As mentioned earlier, DHA helps maintain the integrity of brain cell membranes. Citicoline, meanwhile, supports the production of phospholipids like phosphatidylcholine, which are essential for membrane health, and helps sustain healthy levels of neurotransmitters involved in memory and attention.14,15,16
Together, they offer a complementary approach to brain support: DHA strengthens the structural foundation of brain cells, while citicoline helps fuel cellular activity and supports efficient signaling between neurons.13,14,17
Whether you're plant-based or simply mindful of your brain health, combining the right omega-3 fatty acids with Cognizin offers a thoughtful, science-informed approach to daily cognitive support. This dual-nutrient approach supports focus, memory, cognitive function, and long-term brain health.1,18,19,20
Explore the benefits of Cognizin citicoline and find the DHA source that fits your lifestyle.
1Dighriri IM, et al. Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Brain Functions: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2022 Oct 9; 14(10): e30091.
2Satizabal CL, et al. Association of Red Blood Cell Omega-3 Fatty Acids With MRI Markers and Cognitive Function in Midlife. Neurology. 2022 Dec; 99(23): e2572-e2582.
3Davis BC, et al. Achieving optimal essential fatty acid status in vegetarians: current knowledge and practical implications. Am J Clin Nutr. 2003 Sep; 78(3): 640S-646S.
4Gharami K, et al. Essential role of docosahexaenoic acid towards development of a smarter brain. Neurochem Int. 2015 Oct; 89:51-62.
5Weiser MJ, et al. Docosahexaenoic Acid and Cognition throughout the Lifespan. Nutrients. 2016 Feb 17; 8(2): 99.
6Bazinet RP, et al. Brain eicosapentaenoic acid metabolism as a lead for novel therapeutics in major depression. Brain Behav. Immun. 2020 Mar; 85: 21-28.
7von Schacky C. Importance of EPA and DHA Blood Levels in Brain Structure and Function. Nutrients. 2021 Mar 25; 13(4): 1074.
8Grosso G, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids and depression: scientific evidence and biological mechanisms. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2014; 2014: 313570.
9Office of Dietary Supplements. Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Health Professional Fact Sheet. National Institutes of Health. Updated December 17, 2024. Accessed July 29, 2025. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/
10rupi R, Marino A, Cuzzocrea S. n-3 fatty acids: role in neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. Curr Med Chem. 2013; 20(24): 2953-63.
11Wu A, et al. Docosahexaenoic acid dietary supplementation enhances the effects of exercise on synaptic plasticity and cognition. Neuroscience. 2008 Aug 26; 155(3): 751-9.
12Craddock JC, et al. Algal supplementation of vegetarian eating patterns improves plasma and serum docosahexaenoic acid concentrations and omega-3 indices: a systematic literature review. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2017 Dec; 30(6): 693-699.
13Ryan L, et al. Algal-oil supplements are a viable alternative to fish-oil supplements in terms of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3; DHA). J Funct Foods. 2015 Dec; 19 Part B: 852-858.
14Babb SM, et al. Chronic citicoline increases phosphodiesters in the brains of healthy older subjects: an in vivo phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2002 May; 161(3): 248-54.
15Silveri MM, et al. Citicoline enhances frontal lobe bioenergetics as measured by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy. NMR Biomed. 2008 Nov; 21(10): 1066-75.
16Wurtman RJ, et al. Effect of oral CDP-choline on plasma choline and uridine levels in humans. Biochem Pharmacol. 2000 Oct 1; 60(7):9 89-92.
17Secades JJ, Lorenzo JL. Citicoline: pharmacological and clinical review, 2006 update. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Sep; 28 Suppl B: 1-56.
18McGlade E, et al. Improved Attentional Performance Following Citicoline Administration in Healthy Adult Women. Food Sci. Nutr. 2012 Jun; 3(6): 769-773.
19Nakazaki E, et al. Citicoline and Memory Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Nutr. 2021 Aug 7;151(8):2153-2160.
20Silveri MM, et al. Citicoline enhances frontal lobe bioenergetics as measured by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy. NMR Biomed. 2008 Nov; 21(10):1066-75.
