Assessing the environment for regulatory change for eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid nutrition labeling.
This review examines issues related to the development of a recommended daily allowance or adequate intake, two of the categories of dietary reference intakes, for the long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3). Although some have suggested a dietary intake of two servings of fatty fish per week or supplement intake of 500 mg/day EPA plus DHA, based on evidence from epidemiologic and clinical studies of cardiovascular benefit from regular fish or fish-oil consumption, supplementation with EPA and/or DHA may also have antidepressant and mood-stabilizing effects. Omega-3 PUFA biology is complex and chronic disease outcomes are sometimes difficult to prove, yet the possibility of benefit for a substantial portion of the population from increased omega-3 PUFA intake is a public health issue that must be addressed responsibly and be based on significant scientific evidence.
Brownawell
Amy M
AM
Life Sciences Research Office, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Harris
William S
WS
Hibbeln
Joseph R
JR
Klurfeld
David M
DM
Newton
Ian
I
Yates
Allison
A
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D018673:Nutrition Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States
D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid