Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids)…Certain plant sources (and derived vegetable oils) such as flaxseed, canola oil, walnuts, etc. contain significant amounts of the plant-based omega-3 fatty acid known as a-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3). …Flaxseed and other plant-derived oils are totally lacking in DHA/EPA combined whereas DHA/EPA are found in fish/fish oils which contain very minor amounts of ALA. ….
…A recent study seeing flaxseed oil rich in ALA has confirmed a moderate rise in circulating plasma lipid levels of EPA plus DPA (but not DHA); the authors suggest that this rise, although moderate, in EPA plus DPA might possibly mediate any beneficial effects towards cardiovascular health derived by the consumption of flaxseed oil. It should be noted herein that the published literature using deuterated ALA suggests conversion efficiencies of dietary ALA to EPA plus DHA (combined) ranging from 5-15% overall….
While the claim is made that ALA supplementation does seem to improve cardiovascular outcomes I find the claim rather dubious. A 5% -15% conversion rate? And what about DHA which is essential for the development of the brain?
Furthermore:
Several factors inhibit conversion of ALA to it's long-cchain Metabolites (EPA and DHA)
- A diet high in LA (common in US) can inhibit conversion by as much as 40%
- A high maternal intake of linoleic acid (Omega 5 from corn, safflower oil, etc.) inhibits conversion to EPA and DHA reduces n-3 availability to the developing fetus
- increasing the ratio of n-3 to n-6 fatty acids in the diet with ALA may not enhance neuronal DHA levels in infants
- Saturated and trans fatty acids inhibit ALA desaturation and elongation
- Ethanol inhibits conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA
- a deficiency of any of the vitamins and mineral co-factors (vitamin B3, B6, C, Zinc and Magnesium) required by elongase and Delta-6 desaturase may inhibit conversion of EPA and DHA
- Loss of Delta-6 desaturates activity that occurs during norman aging
- Certain health conditions such as diabetes and drugs, inhibits Delta - 6 saturase activity and prevents conversion of EPA and DHA
- Certain populations, such as North American natives, Inuit, Orientals, Norwegians, and Welsh-Irish may not effectively convert ALA to EPA in the body
I think I have heard enough about how wonderful ALA is as an Omega 3 source. Have you?
Eat your meats!
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2 comments:
Hi,
Please allow me to be pragmatic—
I am of the opinion that eating meat is unhealthy, immoral, and counter-productive. Meat is difficult to digest, requires copious amounts of energy to process, causes immense stress to one's digestive system, and produces unnecessary bodily strain. Furthermore, the industry is incredibly inefficient, cruel, and inhumane. (If you think otherwise, why don't you challenge yourself to watch the documentary Earthlings in its entirety?) One can honestly afford to do without meat in his diet. If one is concerned about his EPA/DHA intake, one can take an algae supplement, or a super-food blend containing such (such as Sequel's Vega).
You act, Mr. Angel, as though meat contains a source of vital nutrition which is otherwise unavailable. This is not the case at all. I find your opinionated article rather biased and uninformed, your quoted sources selective, and your view irrational and emotionally-driven.
Eat your plants!
Tristan Khan
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