Omega-3 fatty acids are found in polyunsaturated fats and the most important ones for health are EPA and DHA.  Oily fish is the most important source of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet, each serving containing 2-3 grams.

At a recent conference, the UK Health Supplements Information Service rounded up some of the latest research on the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. It turns out these could be greater than previously realised and this underlines the importance of taking in enough omega-3 fatty acids at all stages of the life span, whether through regular fish consumption or by supplementation.

The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids upon heart health and immune function are well established.  But did you know that increased omega-3 fatty acids in pregnancy can affect fetal development?  A new study shows that babies born to mothers who took omega-3 fatty acid supplements during the second half of pregnancy had fewer allergy-related cells, reduced inflammatory response to allergens, and were less likely to develop asthma or eczema.  Meanwhile, four year olds whose mothers had taken cod liver oil – a good source of omega-3 fatty acids – in pregnancy were better at mental processing than children whose mothers had not. 

In another study, patients with atopic eczema enjoyed significant improvement when they took omega-3 fatty acid supplements for eight weeks – this was a trial where participatns took either 5.4 grams a day of DHA or a placebo.  Also, patients with rheumatoid arthritis taking omega-3 fatty acid, DHA or EPA supplements experienced less joint pain, less morning stiffness and reduced need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The UK Food Standards Agency says we should eat two portions of fish – one of which should be an oily fish like sardines, mackerel or salmon – each week.  But intake of oily fish has only gone up by 5% since 1974 according to the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey so British people are not getting the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids.  Other foods are rather low in omega-3 fatty acid content.  So if you don’t like fish – or are even concerned about its quality or the environmental impact of eating it regularly – you might consider a good quality supplement.  There might also be a case for introducing foods fortified with omega-3 fatty acids into the national diet.

Source:

Health Supplements Information Service 8^th September 2009