Source of omega-3 fatty acids

Dieken, H.A. 1992. Use of flaxseed as a source of omega-3 fatty acids in human nutrition. In The 54th Proceeding of Flax Institute of United States , pp. 1-4. 

Portulaca oleracea commonly known as purslane belongs to the family Portulacaceae and is an herbaceous cosmopolitan weed. P. oleracea is one of the major sources of omega-3 fatty acids and was found to produce beneficial effects on cholesterol and triglyceride levels in heart disease and in strengthening the immune system. The plant also possesses marked antioxidant activity (Reid, 1986 Chevallier, 1996 Hocking, 1997). 

Simopoulos AP, Salem N Jr. Purslane a terrestrial source of omega-3 fatty acids. N Eng J Med 1986 315 833. 

Simopoulos AP, Norman HA, Gillaspy JE, Duke JA. Common purslane a source of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. J Am Coll Nutr 1992 ll(4) 374-382. 

Flaxseed This is another source of Omega-3 fatty acids, and it can be a good addition to your diet, or a substitute for fish and fish oil. Although flaxseed doesn t contain the essential Omega-3 DHA and EPA, as fish oil does, your body can theoretically convert the elements of flaxseed oil into these other EFAs. However, some people s bodies have trouble making this conversion, rendering flaxseed oil slightly less effective than fish/fish oil for some people, so I still recommend fish oil over flaxseed oil if possible. 

TABLE 17.1 Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Seafood... 

Uauy-Dagach, R. and Valenzuela, A. (1992) Marine oils as a source of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet how to optimize the health benefits. Prog. Food Nutr. Sci. 16, 199-243. 

Cold-water fish are a source of omega-3 fatty acids. 

Scheideler, S. and Lewis, N. 1997. Omega eggs A dietary source of N-3 fatty acids. Neb. Facts. NF97-354. 

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). 

New health-related and environmental applications are included in margin notes and problems. Topics include the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, a-hydroxy acids in skin care products, drugs such as Benadryl that contain ammonium salts, chloroethane as a local anesthetic, rebaudioside A (trade name Truvia), a sweetening agent isolated from a plant source, and many others. 

Oil from fish such as tuna and salmon is a good source of omega-3 fatty adds, including the C22 omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid [DHA, whose full lUPAC name is (4Z, 7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z)-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid]. DHA is also found in breast milk, gray matter of the brain, and retinal tissue. 

Source Updated and modified from Weber PC, Leaf A. Cardiovascular effects of omega-3 fatty acids. Atherosclerosis risk factor modification by omega-3 fatty acids. World Rev Nutr Diet 1991, 66 218-32. With permission. 

Stonyfield farms, a commercial processor in the United States, has initiated a "Greener Cow Project" to decrease CIT4 emissions by feeding cows a diet rich in natural omega-3 sources http / www.stonyfield.com/ search/index.jsp q=greener-icow x=12 y=8. Preliminary results indicate a reduction of enteric emissions by an average of 12% and an increase in omega-3 fatty acids in milk. 

Most tissues of the body incorporate omega-3 fatty acids from a diet rich in fish. It has been suggested that omega-3 fatty acids are essential for life, but they cannot be synthesized by the human body. Other possible sources of these fatty acids, in additicxi to fish, are not completely defined (7). 

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