Long‑chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC‑PUFA) are divided into omega-3 fatty acids (n-3: ALA, EPA and DHA) and omega-6 fatty acids (n-6: LA and AA). Current research shows that, in the modern man diet, one of these groups dominates in relation 15–20 to 1 in favor of the fatty acids from the omega-6 group. Excessive consumption of the n-6 acid group may be harmful to the human organism, unlike supplementation with n-3 fatty acids group. Consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 is essential for human health. On the biological level, it has an impact on the course of certain brain processes, protection and creation of new nerve cells (neurons). On the cognitive level, supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids from n-3 group may be related to the quality of memorizing, learning, intellectual capacity, prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, depressive disorder, dementia disorder and others.

Key words: polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3, cognitive functioning, supplementation.