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Get hooked on fish; it's a main source of two vital fatty acids we're lacking, professor says

Ottawa, Canada, 8 March 2005 - A University of Guelph professor says Canadians are lacking two fatty acids critical to their health.

Dr. Bruce Holub, a professor and researcher in the university's department of human biology and nutritional sciences, speaks in Ottawa tonight about the benefits of two Omega 3 fatty acids.

Holub calls docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) essential, but says Canadians have been misled about how vital these fatty acids are to health.

The human body cannot manufacture Omega 3 on its own. Instead, cold water fish and fish oils are the most direct source of DHA and EPA. But since 1990, Health Canada has only identified linolenic acid (LNA) as essential for dietary health. That fatty acid is derived from plant sources such as flax seeds, soybeans and non- hydrogenated canola oil.

Critical distinction

But Holub says LNA has no function itself -- its only role is to make DHA and EPA. He says Health Canada has failed to make this critical distinction. "In order for (LNA) to provide any function, it has to be converted into DHA and EPA," Holub says. But "this conversion (in the liver) is extremely limited. It's an inefficient way of enriching the body with DHA and EPA." Holub says LNA is poorly converted in the body. While LNA has some health benefits, he says it would need to be consumed in large amounts to be effective.

"The most efficient way to get DHA and EPA is through fish and fish oils," Holub says.

DHA enhances brain and retina function. Holub notes that DHA has a low freezing point in the brain. When DHA is embedded in brain cells, it is highly fluid, helping nerve transmission. This creates better learning ability.

In heart tissue, if cells are enriched in DHA and EPA, the chances of surviving a heart attack are significantly higher. "Studies show people who eat fish a few times a week have a lower chance of dying of heart disease," Holub says. "But we need to (consume) fish that are low in contaminants and have substantial amounts of DHA."

Eat salmon, trout

The fear of rising toxin levels has discouraged many Canadians from eating fish, instead of educating people on which types of fish are safer to consume, like wild salmon and farmed trout. Holub says DHA is especially vital for vegans, vegetarians and pregnant women -- people who generally need more nutrients to balance their health.

"I'm trying to get across the importance of DHA for the brain and visual function," Holub says. "Canadians are consuming way too little of this."

Source: The Ottawa Sun

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