Nutritional Advice - EPA / DHA and Omega Fatty Acids

volatile · 14th March 2007, 09:15 AM

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.

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 · 14th March 2007, 09:24 AM

This was also covered in The Guardian, in the bad science column. Link provided is to the badscience website.

volatile · 14th March 2007, 02:52 PM

Thanks for that. Much as I suspected. A pointed summary is here 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 · 14th March 2007, 05:05 PM

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 · 15th March 2007, 04:38 AM

Originally Posted by volatile

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

Meat.

Sorry

NeilC · 15th March 2007, 05:20 AM

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 · 15th March 2007, 05:50 AM

Originally Posted by volatile

... 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 · 16th March 2007, 04:29 AM

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.

14th March 2007, 09:15 AM	#1
volatile Scholar and a Gentleman Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The Uncanny Valley Posts: 6,730	Nutritional Advice - EPA / DHA and Omega Fatty Acids 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. 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.
	__________________ - ""My tribe has a saying: 'If you're bleeding, look for a man with scars'" - Leela, Doctor Who 'Robots of Death'.

14th March 2007, 09:24 AM	#2
Mashuna Ovis ex Machina Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Welsh Wales Posts: 6,578	This was also covered in The Guardian, in the bad science column. Link provided is to the badscience website.
	__________________ GENERATION 10: The first time you see this, copy it into your sig on any forum and put in a random number. Anti-social experiment.

14th March 2007, 02:52 PM	#3
volatile Scholar and a Gentleman Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The Uncanny Valley Posts: 6,730	Thanks for that. Much as I suspected. A pointed summary is here 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?
	__________________ - ""My tribe has a saying: 'If you're bleeding, look for a man with scars'" - Leela, Doctor Who 'Robots of Death'.

14th March 2007, 05:05 PM	#4
TobiasTheViking Resident Viking Autist Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: With your mother Posts: 6,923	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)
	__________________ He pricked me with his prick that prick - NobbyNobbs Endearingly Obnoxious - Rebecca Watson

15th March 2007, 04:38 AM	#5
Cuddles Decoy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: A magical land full of pink fluffy sheeps and bunnies Posts: 16,566	Originally Posted by volatile As far as I know, there is currently no vegan-suitable EPA supplement Meat. Sorry
	__________________ I am not a little teapot.

15th March 2007, 05:20 AM	#6
NeilC Graduate Poster Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,331	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! ;-)

15th March 2007, 05:50 AM	#7
JJM Graduate Poster Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,855	Originally Posted by volatile ... 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.
JJM Graduate Poster Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,855

16th March 2007, 04:29 AM	#8
symball New Blood Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 19	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.
symball New Blood Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 19