Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid fish

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that are most abundant in fatty fish such as sardines, salmon, and mackerel. A diet high in EPA plus DHA or supplementation with these fish oils reduces the risk of cardiovascular mortality, reinfarction, and stroke in patients who have experienced an MI. 

Diets high in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (from fish oil), most commonly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), reduce cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL and may elevate HDL cholesterol. 

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). 

Fish Oil Supplements (Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid) Garlic Allium sativum) Gentian Genliana luiea) GingCT Zingiber officinale)... 

Fish Oil Supplements (Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid)... 

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). 

Initially, of course, we heard about the Inuit Eskimos of Greenland and how they almost never developed heart disease even though they ate large amounts of fat in the form of fish and marine animals. At first glance, that appeared paradoxical. Then came the realization that the fat consumed was a kind of polyunsaturated fatty acid termed omega-3.Think about it if the fat in coldwater fish were saturated, those fish would be as stiff and hard as a stick of butter in the refrigerator. 

Two general approaches for the production of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids usually found in fish oil have been employed, both of which used 18 carbon fatty acids endogenous to plants as the starting substrates (36). Soybean and canola, the oilseed plants rich in omega-6 fatty acids, have been engineered to produce omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosohexaenoic acid (DHA) (37, 38). 

Nagakura T, Matsuda S, Shichijyo K, Sugimoto H, Hata K Dietary supplementation with fish oil rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in children with bronchial asthma. Eur Respir J 2000 16 861-865. 

Omega-3 fatty acid A polyunsaturated fatty acid whose first double bond is located three carbons from the methyl end of the fatty acid molecule. Alpha-linolenic acid is the precursor or parent compound from which other longer-chain omega-3 PUFA are synthesized, including EPA and DHA. Sources of alpha-linolenic acid include green leafy vegetables, linseed and rapeseed oils, as well as phytoplankton, algae, and fish. Scientists may also refer to this family of fatty acids as n-3 PUFA. 

Fish oils, such as cod liver oil, are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, when compared to, say, dairy fats, but still not as high as sunflower oil. However, they are seen as being especially healthy because an unusually high proportion of this polyunsaturated fatty acid is C20 with five double bonds (ERA) and C22 with six double bonds (DHA), so-called omega-3 fatty acids (see also Topic 49). 

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