title: Omega-3 fatty acids: comparison of plant and seafood sources in human nutrition.
abstract: Omega-3 Fatty acids (omega-3FAs) are found in seafoods, some plants, and some livestock rations. Fish oils are the only concentrated source of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5 omega-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6 omega-3). The major omega-3FA in plants is alpha-linolenic acid (LNA; 18:3 omega-3). LNA must be converted to EPA before it exerts biological effects similar to EPA, such as reduced platelet aggregation. Human beings convert LNA to EPA to a small extent only. LNA may be more readily oxidized than incorporated into tissues. The effects of consuming LNA-rich oils are more modest than the effects of EPA-rich oils. Evidence suggests that omega-3FAs are essential and highly desirable for brain and eye development and heart health. LNA is the only source of omega-3FAs for vegetarians. Because LNA and EPA are not biologically equivalent, food composition data or product claims mentioning total omega-3FA content must clarify the individual omega-3FAs present.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Nettleton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010944:Plants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012639:Seeds / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008042:Linolenic Acids; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid