Nutritional Advice - EPA / DHA and Omega Fatty Acids

[volatile]

Dear Forumites,

I was interested by a piece in Monday's Times discussing the benefits of EPA supplements on brain function, to be found here (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article1499696.ece).

Essentially, a small study seemed to show that EPA supplementation greatly improved brain function in developing children. As a vegan, this piqued my interest, as EPA levels are usually much lower in vegetarian and vegan diets than they would be in an omnivorous one.

I have recently begun supplementing DHA (between 300mg and 600mg per day), which I know can be synthesised into a small amount of EPA by the body. As far as I know, there is currently no vegan-suitable EPA supplement nor many reliable plant-based dietary sources.

I was wondering what those more learned than I think about this study, and whether I should be worried about its implications.

[Mashuna]

This was also covered in The Guardian, in the bad science (http://www.badscience.net/?p=384)column. Link provided is to the badscience website.

[volatile]

Thanks for that. Much as I suspected. A pointed summary is here (http://brokenhut.livejournal.com/214308.html) too.

I realise that Prof. Puri's snake oil is utter bunk. I still have some questions though, and those are basically: a) should I worry that my EPA and DHA levels are, as a vegan, below average?, b) is there any evidence that EPA and DHA levels are linked to cognitive performance at all?

[TobiasTheViking]

Hm, i'm sure that what Omega3 fatty acids do have been overstated. That said, EPA and DHA supplements are good, i have that from both MD students i know, and i have found a lot of support for Omega3 on pubmed.gov (i can't find my list right now).

With THAT said(it being good) i don't say that you should be scared as a vegan. And while there most likely is woo claims about omega3, i don't believe that all the claims about them are woo.

I personally take 6 omega3 pills a day(3 times normal dosis, trippled because of my autism)

[Cuddles]

As far as I know, there is currently no vegan-suitable EPA supplement

Meat.




Sorry :boxedin:

[NeilC]

Commonly people in your situation take Flax oil or similar. ALA is converted to EPA but it's not efficient so you need a lot more - something like 10% if I remember rightly.

Go watch a fish tank at a pet store and you'll see the heartless buggers harrassing a sick fish for hours until they eventually kill it through 1000's of tiny bites. Then you'll quit feeling sorry for them! ;-)

[JJM]

... I still have some questions though, and those are basically: a) should I worry that my EPA and DHA levels are, as a vegan, below average?, b) is there any evidence that EPA and DHA levels are linked to cognitive performance at all?Why would you take nutrition advice from web-surfers. A registered dietician should be your source.

[symball]

JJM I'm not sure where you are based- but access to a proper dietician is pretty difficult to get in the UK unless you have a medical problem or a very good private insurance policy.