Long-chain n-3 PUFA: plant v. marine sources.

摘要

The future sustainability of fish and fish oils as dietary sources of the long chain n-3 PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is uncertain. Therefore, alternative sources may be required. In this article, the suitability of plant foods as dietary sources of n-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid) is discussed. Aspects considered include: beneficial health effects of oily fish and long chain n-3 PUFA; dietary sources of n-3 PUFA and long chain n-3 PUFA supply during pregnancy; conversion of alpha-linolenic acid to longer chain PUFA such as EPA and DHA (the conversion pathway, conversion in adults, effects of chronically increased alpha-linolenic acid consumption, estimates of alpha-linolenic acid conversion from stable-isotope tracer studies); and the effect of gender on alpha-linolenic acid metabolism. [This paper was presented at the Summer Meeting of the Nutrition Society held in Norwich, UK, from 28 June to 1 July, 2005.]