Comments on: Confused about Omega-3?

By: uRDietitian

uRDietitian — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:49:43 +0000

I agree with some of the comments about this article being overly simplified. It is a great starting point for most consumers, but if you would like something a little more in depth check out . . .

http://naturalbias.com/what-you-should-know-about-essential-fatty-acids/

By: Carol

Carol — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:56:37 +0000

There is only one allowed claim for omega-3 fats, and it is a qualified health claim (requires lots of disclaimer language on the package) pertaining to DHA and EPA content, NOT ALA content, so any food product that makes a health claim for ALA (short-chain) omega-3 fatty acids is mislabeled.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/LabelClaims/QualifiedHealthClaims/ucm073992.htm#omega3

Nutrient content claims (“good source,” etc.) are prohibited for any form of omega-3 fats, because there is no Daily Value established for these fats. Ditto for “implied” omega-3 content claims such as “contains omega 3,” unless it specifies (truthfully) the actual amount of omega 3 contained. Tons of products violate these rules.

By: Jurek Kawalek

Jurek Kawalek — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:34:42 +0000

sorry for mistakes “Your heart..” etc. If you like to comment write to me jkawalek@web.de

By: Jurek Kawalek

Jurek Kawalek — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:30:48 +0000

Hi, I am depp involved into the Omega 3 business due to my business. After starting to ork with plant based omega 3 I have firstly educated myself, gathering informations form both “industries” Asked for the offer by one of the biggest supplier of fish based omega 3 oils, I have asked finally for the heavy metals contamination. The answer as “If you like we clean it” “But I want to use it for food production(?)” “Well, it is food quality” It is true EPA and DHA is most beneficial kind of Omega 3. But the relationship between 6 and 3 should be max. 5:1= if it is less it is better for you (2:1 most beneficial) If RDI for OMega 6 is about 10g/day so most beneficial situation is you take 5g EPA/DHA to have right proportion that Omega 6 do not take over the limited enzymes for derviates of Omega 3. Please try to calculate how much you have to eat fish or take capsules to get this ratio. Is good to kno that the usually mentioned percentage of Omega 3 in Fish oils is on the trigliceride base = the standard 30% means including glycerien = lefts in best case 25% of Real EPA and DHA on the mas base. By 5g/day you have to consume 4 times more fish oil. 20g = approx. 4 tea spoons a day. On the other side you need finally 250g / day of DPA +DHA(RDI) The conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA is lying by 4% and 10%.By 2g per day = finally 240g and the ratio is 5:1. So there is a strong lobby of fish oil and a weak lobby of plant omega. The fish oil business you can controll with some volume of money and product is not to increase as you like = plant based yes = price deterioration and anybody can enter the business. Ther is no money to earn in the medium and long term = no investments, no lobby interests. But most ridiculous is the scientific statement “the adventage of fish based omega 3 outrages the disadvantages” You hart will be helathy, even if you die on something else….

By: Dr. Susan Rubin

Dr. Susan Rubin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:10:51 +0000

If you want to fully understand the omega 3/ omega 6/ saturated fat story, The Queen of Fats by Susan Allport is a great read. When we try to “simplify” things, truth gets lost in the translation! Saturated fat is NOT the bad boy that we’ve all been led to believe.

We’ve fallen in this oversimplification trap with concepts like “calories” , carbs and fat! Thats why kids are now munching baked chips, diet drinks and 100 calorie packs and continuing to put on the pounds.

By: Beth

Beth — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:39:36 +0000

Nice summary of omega-3. But I was surprised about the blanket statement re saturated fats in point 2. You note that it’s an “over-simplification” and it surely is!

I think it’s worth pointing out that lots of people — even more mainstream folks — are questioning the link between saturated fat and risk of heart disease. E.g., see this from NutritionData:

http://blog.nutritiondata.com/heart_health_blog/2009/07/saturated-fats-and-cardiovascular-health.html