Omega-3 fatty acid concentrates fish oils

This disorder is characterised by inappropriate levels of activity, a high frequency of periods of frustration and distraction and hence inability to sustain attention and to concentrate on one activity for a prolonged period of time. A surprising finding is that amphetamine administration, which normally increases or facilitates activity, rapidly and markedly improves behaviour. Patients become calm and their alertness is enhanced. A drug that has been used is methylphenidate (Ritalin). One interesting and recent development is the improvement in the condition by supplementation of the diet with polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly the omega-3 acids in fish oils (See Chapter 11). 

S. S. H. Rizvi, R. R. Chao, and Y. J. Liaw, Concentration of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil using supercritical carbon dioxide, in B. A. Charpentier and M. R. Sevenants, eds.. Supercritical Flyid Extractioned, 1988, pp. 89-108. 

Concentration of Omega-3 Fatty Acids from Fish Oil Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide... 

Miller, M. R. Nichols, P. D. Carter C. G. replacement of dietary fish oil for Atlantic salmon parr Salmo salar L.) with a stearidonic acid containing oil has no effect on omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations. Comp Biochem Phys B 2007,146, 197-206. 

Oily fish and extracted fish oils contain high concentrations of EPA and DHA. Fish oils also contain vitamins A and D. Oil derived from cod, halibut, or shark liver, or from fish body, typically contains about 200 mg/ml of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, cod liver oil provides 50 pg/ml of vitamin A and 2 pg/ml of vitamin D. Many fish oil supplements are artificially enriched with omega-3 fatty acids. 

Several methods have been proposed to produce polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrates particularly high in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Most PUFA enrichment methods are based upon a combination of techniques such as saponification, solvent extraction, urea fractionation, molecular distillation, fractionation distillation, liquid chromatography, and super critical carbondioxide extraction. Current evidence suggests that the physiological effects of omega-3 fatty acids are such that the annual world supply of fish oils will be grossly inadequate as a source of these materials, and alternative sources will be needed (Belarbi et al, 2000). 

You may hear about getting omega-3s from plant sources, especially flaxseed and flaxseed oil but also from soybeans, canola and walnut oils, and various kinds of nuts. All of those foods contain a far less potent form of the beneficial fatty acids called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). You may even see ALA supplements on sale in health food stores and pharmacies, but only a fraction, a small fraction, of ALA is converted by the body into EPA and DHA. Stick with the fish oils or the concentrated ethyl ester supplements. 

Omega-3 fatty adds are found in high concentrations in fish oil. Fish do not actually synthesize these compounds, but obtain them from algae. Even higher concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids are found in flaxseed oil. Lingonberry and kiwi are also rich in these compounds. 

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