Posted by Larry Hoover on July 3, 2009, at 17:58:37
In reply to EPA production in vegans; does this make sense?, posted by iforgotmypassword on July 2, 2009, at 11:05:54
> http://www2.healthyimmunity.com/Omegavega-Vegetarian-Omega-3-6-9.html
>
> GLA already looks like something beneficial to take...
>
> is a product like this the best way to go about things?Only if you're opposed to eating fish or taking fish oil. Otherwise, it's the best vegetarian solution to the long-chain omega-3 situation that I've ever seen.
> ALA, SDA and GLA all seem to make EPA.
Uhhh, no. According to one study referenced by these folk, SDA is partially converted to EPA. ALA does not convert to EPA to an appreciable extent. The conversion is slight. GLA does not convert to EPA at all. It's an omega-6 fatty acid, and the others are all omega-3s.
> i'm not sure how they are calculating their EPA number, only from the SDA in the oil initially or the SDA that will also derive from the ALA (possibly GLA as well, or maybe the cycle is totally different?) they reference something, more stuff that will probably confuse me.
The EPA number is solely derived from the amount of SDA they provide, and assumes that your body will actually make the amount they predict.
> i guess i would end up taking a tablespoon...
It does contain some DHA, and that's a good thing, because your body is virtually incapable of forming any on its own.
Fish actually derive almost all their omega-3s from algal DHA. Their enzymes do the opposite of what ours do, shortening and saturating DHA.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:904486
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090630/msgs/904795.html