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Health News Archive 161 - Omega-3 Fatty Acids
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Flaxseed Converted into Omega-3s in Human Body

Consumption of flaxseed oil can increase concentrations of certain omega-3 fatty acids in the human body—good news for vegetarians who will not consume fish or fish oil.

Flaxseed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an Omega-3 fatty acid.  There has been some doubt as to whether the human body is able to convert it to longer-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in sufficient amounts. A sufficient amount of EPA and DHA is desirable because EPA and DHA support the heart, brain, retina, pregnancy, lactation and seniority.

In this recent randomized, double-blind study, researchers investigated the effect of daily supplementation with ALA from flaxseed oil on the plasma concentration of omega-3 fatty acids in a predominantly African-American population with chronic illness. Thirty-one participants were given 3 grams ALA per day from flaxseed oil capsules, while 25 subjects received olive oil placebo capsules.

At 12 weeks, plasma EPA levels in the flaxseed oil group increased by 60 percent, whereas no change occurred in the olive oil group. In the flaxseed oil group, plasma levels of another omega-3 fatty acid, docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), increased by 25 percent with no change in the olive oil group. Plasma DHA levels did not change in either group.

According to the researchers, “This study demonstrates the efficacy of the conversion of ALA to EPA and DPA in a minority population with chronic disease, but not DHA. ALA may be an alternative to fish oil for people adverse to consuming fish.”

Reference:

Harper CR, Edwards MJ, Defilipis AP, Jacobson TA. Flaxseed Oil Increases the Plasma Concentrations of Cardioprotective (n-3) Fatty Acids in Humans. J Nutr. 2006 Jan;136(1):83-7.