Current intakes of EPA and DHA in European populations and the potential of animal-derived foods to increase them: Symposium on ‘How can the n-3 content of the diet be improved?’

摘要

The beneficial effects of long-chain (C chain a‰￥20) n-3 PUFA are well documented and, overall, increased intake reduces risk of CVD. Recent evidence also points to a role in reducing age-related decline in cognitive function. The two key fatty acids are EPA (20:5) and DHA (22:6), with current UK recommendation for adults being 450 mg EPA+DHA/d. Whilst some EPA and DHA can be synthesised in vivo from ?±-linolenic acid, recent data indicate this source to be very limited, suggesting that EPA and DHA should be classified as dietary essentials. In many parts of Europe the daily intake of EPA+DHA by adults and especially young adults (18a€“24 years) is