Re: The FDA and EFAs

[Guest guest]

Obviously, commissioner Crawford does not read the literature. It is

well established that DHA is necessary for brain and eye development

as shown in the abstracts below. I don't know about the need for them

in adulthood, but there is a clinical trial under way to try to see if

EPA and DHA offer some hope of preventing or delaying macular

degeneration. My guess is that because of the reactive and unstable

nature of polyunsaturated fatty acids, there is a need to replenish

them regularly.

Here is a link about breast milk, DHA, and infant formulas:

http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/nutrition/a/enfamil_lipil.htm

Tony

===

From: " Jeff Novick " <jnovick@p...>

Date: Thu Sep 9, 2004 9:14 am

Subject: [ ] The FDA and EFAs

This came out last nite and while not directly related to CR-ON, I

thought the comment in regard to the FDA still not considering EPA and

DHA as being " essential " fatty acids was relevant to a recent

discussion on the list..

" FDA has concluded that while these particular fatty acids [EPA, DHA]

are not essential to the diet they may be beneficial in reducing

coronary heart disease, " said FDA acting commissioner Lester Crawford.

Jeff

=====

Lipids. 2001 Sep;36(9):885-95. Related Articles, Links

Essential fatty acids in visual and brain development.

Uauy R, Hoffman DR, Peirano P, Birch DG, Birch EE.

Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of

Chile, Santiago, Chile. uauy@...

PMID: 11724460 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

" Essential fatty acids are structural components of all tissues and

are indispensable for cell membrane synthesis; the brain, retina and

other neural tissues are particularly rich in long-chain

polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA). These fatty acids serve as

specific precursors for eicosanoids, which regulate numerous cell and

organ functions. Recent human studies support the essential nature of

n-3 fatty acids in addition to the well-established role of n-6

essential fatty acids in humans, particularly in early life. The main

findings are that light sensitivity of retinal rod photoreceptors is

significantly reduced in newborns with n-3 fatty acid deficiency, and

that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) significantly enhances visual acuity

maturation and cognitive functions. DHA is a conditionally essential

nutrient for adequate neurodevelopment in humans. "

===

Pediatr Res. 1990 Jan;27(1):89-97.

Docosahexaenoic acid is the preferred dietary n-3 fatty acid for

the development of the brain and retina.

GJ, Connor WE, Corliss JD.

Department of Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University,

Portland 97201.

The metabolism of individual dietary n-3 fatty acids was studied

in n-3 fatty acid-deficient newly hatched chicks. Laying hens were fed

the n-6 fatty acid, ethyl linoleate, as the only source of

polyunsaturated fat. Chicks were then fed the n-3-deficient hens'

diet, or one of three other diets supplemented with the ethyl ester of

18:3 n-3, 20:5 n-3 [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)], or 22:6 n-3

[docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] at 0.44% of calories. At the end of 0, 1,

2, and 3 wk, the fatty acid composition of the brain, retina, liver,

and serum was determined. Dietary EPA and DHA were equally effective

at raising levels of DHA in the brain and retina. Dietary 18:3 was

relatively ineffective in restoring brain and retina DHA. In the

n-3-deficient chicks fed EPA or DHA, levels of DHA recovered to

control values in both the brain and retina by 3 wk. Very little EPA

accumulated in the brain or retina of chicks fed EPA. Hepatic

synthesis of DHA from EPA appeared low, suggesting that the brain and

retina synthesized the DHA that accumulated rapidly in these tissues

after the feeding of EPA. The delta-4-desaturase enzyme was apparently

very active, then, in the brain and retina. Retroconversion of dietary

22:6 to 22:5 and 20:5 was evident in the serum, liver, and retina but

not in the brain. Thus, it was possible to study the relative

metabolism and especially the interconversion of n-3 fatty acids in a

environment uncomplicated by existing stores of these essential fatty

acids. This study would suggest that 18:3 as the sole source of n-3

fatty acids in the diets of animals, including the human infant, may

not be adequate for the biochemical development of the brain and

retina and that dietary DHA is the preferred fatty acid of the n-3

series.

PMID: 2136947 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Guest guest]

Right, but " essential " refers to whether we need to eat them directly or whether

we can make them from other raw materials. I posted it cause that was the

topic recently as some argue the conversion may not be adequate. The are not

saying they are essential so they must beleive the conversion is adequate for

most of us.

So, I dont think they are doubting the importance, and they are only addressing

one area of it which isnt infant eye and brain developement just its

relationship to CVD.

I think DHA is required in infant formula but not sure.

jeff.

[Guest guest]

Just to point out that I don't see any cans with epa/dha content. For a while, they listed it on tuna.

I think whatever went into he can gets changed in the heat. The question is how much in just the flesh of fresh salmon, and how much in the skin? The salmon I see is minus the skin. And probably farmed too.

anyway, nice to know:

"No more than 3 grams a day from foodIn announcing the new claim, the agency suggested that Americans limittheir intake of the two fatty acids to no more than 3 grams a day fromfood, or 2 grams from a supplement. It did not endorse any particularmethod or food as most beneficial in providing them."

So a 1 gram cap is 180 mg epa, 120mg dha. It would take 6 caps to get 2 gms, right?

Regards.

----- Original Message -----

From: Jeff Novick

Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2004 8:14 AM

Subject: [ ] The FDA and EFAs

This came out last nite and while not directly related to CR-ON, I thought the comment in regard to the FDA still not considering EPA and DHA as being "essential" fatty acids was relevant to a recent discussion on the list.."FDA has concluded that while these particular fatty acids [EPA, DHA] are not essential to the diet they may be beneficial in reducing coronary heart disease," said FDA acting commissioner Lester Crawford.Jeff

[Guest guest]

Yes, but a low 30% concentration is not normally indicative of a

pharmaceutical grade, molecularly distilled fish oil.

As there is better scientific efficacy for the role of DHA in health

optimization than EPA, I personally take four small 250mg DHA/100mg

EPA pills at 80% concentration (1.6g total EFA's, 2g total lipids)

daily. Less is more!

Logan

--- In , " jwwright " <jwwright@e...>

wrote:

> So a 1 gram cap is 180 mg epa, 120mg dha. It would take 6 caps to

> get 2 gms, right?