1. What is Essential Fatty Acid?

Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) is unsaturated fatty acid that cannot be synthesized in human body and yet it is vital to body functions. Therefore, EFA must be supplied by the diet to maintain health. There are two families of EFA: Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. In foods, Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) is the major Omega-3 fatty acid; Linoleic Acid (LA) is the major Omega-6 Fatty Acid.1

2. What is Omega-3 Fatty Acid?

Omega-3 fatty acid is a family of unsaturated fatty acid with the first carbon-carbon double bond on the third carbon from the methyl end (-CH3). Omega-3 fatty acids which are important in human nutrition are: Alpha-Linolenic Acid (18:3, n-3; ALA), Eicosapentaenoic Acid (20:5, n-3; EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (22:6, n-3; DHA). ALA is the essential fatty acid as it cannot be synthesized by humans and must be taken from daily diet. Through desaturation (loss of hydrogen) and elongation (addition of carbons) pathways, ALA can be converted to EPA and further to DHA in the body.2,3

3. What is Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)?

Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) is an Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid with 20 carbons and 5 carbon-carbon double bonds. It can be synthesized slowly in the body from ALA.2

4. What is Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)?

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is an Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid with 22 carbons and 6 carbon-carbon double bonds. It can be synthesized slowly in the body from ALA. DHA is especially present in the retina and brain.2

5. What are the health benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

Many researches have shown that consumption of EPA and DHA is associated with reduced risk of developing coronary heart disease4, high blood pressure5,6, rheumatoid arthritis7,8 and some cancers such as breast, colon and prostate cancers9,10,11, as well as lowering blood triglyceride level on average 45% and “very bad” VLDL cholesterol by more than 50%.12 A recent study also reported that children supplemented with Omega-3 Fatty Acids have significant improvement in learning and behavioral problems13. Moreover, DHA acts as a key component of cell membranes that are vital for brain and eyes development.14

6. What types of foods contain Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

Flaxseed and its oil are the most widely available botanical source of Omega-3. Flaxseed oil consists of approximately 55% ALA, six times richer than most fish oils.15 The most widely available source of EPA and DHA is cold water oily fish, such as salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines. Eggs produced by chickens fed with a diet containing flaxseed is also a good source of Omega-3.3

7. What are the differences between Inorganic and Organic Selenium?

Inorganic Selenium, such as Selenite and Selenate is actually a byproduct of copper mining and is highly toxic. It is passively absorbed in the body which allows rapid and unregulated uptake of potentially toxic levels. In contrast, Organic Selenium is taken up from the soil by plants and incorporated into an amino acid, the form of Selenium which is more easily digested and used efficiently by all animals and human. Organic Selenium is absorbed from the gut via amino acid pathways which limits excessive uptake. Nutritional scientists have found that Organic Selenium is not only the natural form but also much healthier than Inorganic Selenium.16,17

8. How does Selenium benefit us in terms of health functions?

Selenium is an essential micronutrient which acts as a potent antioxidant. Selenium is part of the glutathione peroxidase system that breaks down reactive oxygen species such as peroxides into harmless substances before they can form free radicals which are detrimental to human’s health. Selenium also functions in an enzyme that involves in the making of thyroid hormones, in which these hormones are vital in stimulating energy input to various body processes needed for growth or health maintenance.17 Researches have shown that Selenium works together with Vitamin E in preventing the development or progression of prostate cancer.19

9. What is Free Radical? How does it affect our health?

Free radical is highly reactive species that has an unpaired electron, causing it to seek an electron from another compound. The oxidant stress created by free radicals can be very destructive to electron-dense cell components, such as DNA and cell membranes. Free radical damage within cells has been linked to a range of disorders including cancer, arthritis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes.18

10. What are the foods that contain Selenium?

Meat, eggs, fish and shellfish are sources of Selenium. Plant sources include grains and seeds. However, the Selenium content of the soil where a plant is grown greatly affects the Selenium content of the plant food.17

11. What is the public health recommendation for Selenium?

According to the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences, the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for Selenium is 55mcg per day for adult men and women. However, excess Selenium can be toxic. The Upper Level is 400mcg per day for adults, based on overt signs of Selenium toxicity, such as hair loss and high blood concentrations.20

12. What are the effects of Essential Fatty Acids deficiency?

If humans fail to consume enough essential fatty acids, their skin becomes flaky and itchy, and diarrhea and other symptoms such as infections often are seen. Growth and wound healing may be restricted, and anemia can develop.2

13. How much Omega-3 Fatty Acids should I consume in my daily diet?

According to Food and Nutrition Board, USA in 2002, the Recommended Adequate Intake (AI) for Omega-3 Fatty Acids for adult males and females are 1.6g per day and 1.1g per day respectively, with up to 10% of the AI values to be in the form of DHA and EPA.21

14. Why does LTK Omega Plus egg contain more Omega-3 Fatty Acids and DHA compared with an ordinary egg?

Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) is the major essential Omega-3 Fatty Acid and is found abundantly in vegetable oil such as flaxseed.2 LTK’s hens fed with a uniquely-formulated diet by MARDI’s scientists containing flaxseed are able to lay eggs enriched with Omega-3 Fatty Acids. The ingested Omega-3 Fatty Acids which is in the form of ALA will be converted to EPA and further to DHA in human body at an efficiency of 2-15% and 2-5% respectively.2,22 Compared with humans, laying hens appear to have a considerably greater potential for conversion of dietary ALA to DHA. Thus, the inclusion of flaxseed as a source of ALA in hen’s diet results in a substantial conversion to DHA and a considerable enrichment of the egg in pre-formed DHA which is ready-for-use.23

References:
  1. Food and Nutrition Board: Dietary reference intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein, and amino acids. Washington DC: The National Academy Press, 2002.
  2. Wardlaw, Hampl & Disilvestro. Perspectives in Nutrition. Sixth Edition. Lipids. New York. McGaw-Hill. 2004
  3. Omega-3 Fatty Acid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acids)
  4. United States Food and Drug Administration (September 8, 2004). FDA announces qualified health claims for omega-3 fatty acids (http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2004/NEW01115.html). Press release.
  5. Morris, Martha C.; Sacks, Frank; Rosner, Bernard (August 1993). Does fish oil lower blood pressure? A meta-analysis of controlled trials. Circulation (American Heart Association) 88 (2): 523-533. PMID 8339414.
  6. Mori, Trevor A.; Bao, Danny Q.; Burke, Valerie; Puddey, Ian B.; Beilin, Lawrence J. (August 1993). Docosahexaenoic acid but not eicosapentaenoic acid lowers ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate in humans. Hypertension (American Heart Association) 34 (2): 253-260. PMID 10454450.
  7. Fortin, Paul R.; Lew, Robert A.; Liang, Matthew H.; Wright, Elizabeth A.; Beckett, Laurel A.; Chalmers. Thomas C.; Sperling, Richard I. (November 1995). Validation of a meta-analysis: The effects of fish oil in rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology (Elsevier) 48 (11): 1379-1390. PMID 7490601.
  8. Kremer, Joel M.; Bigauoette, J.; Michalek, A.V.; Timchalk, M.A.; Lininger, L.; Rynes, R. I.; Huyck, C.; Zieminski, J.; Bartholomew, L.E. (January 1985). Effects of manipulation of dietary fatty acids on clinical manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis. The Lancet (Elsevier) 1 (8422): 184-187. PMID 2857265.
  9. Augustsson, Katarina; Michaud, Dominique S.; Rimm, Eric B; Leitzmann, Michael F.; Stampfer, Meir J.; Willett, Walter C.; Giovannucci, Edward (January 2003). A prospective study of intake of fish and marine fatty acids and prostate cancer. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & prevention 12 (1): 64-67. PMID 12540506
  10. De Deckere, E.A. (July 1999). Possible beneficial effect of fish and fish n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in breast and colorectal cancer. European Journal of Cancer Prevention 8 (3): 213-221. PMID 10443950.
  11. Caygill, C.P.; Hill, M.J. (August 1995). Fish, n-3 fatty acids and human colorectal and breast cancer mortality. European Journal of Cancer Prevention 4 (4): 329-332. PMID 7549825.
  12. McKenney, James M.; Sica, Domenic (March 2007). Prescription omega-3 fatty acids for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy 64 (6): 595-605. PMID 17353568
  13. Sinn, Natalie; Bryan, Janet (April 2007). Effect of supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids and micronutrients on learning and behavior problems associated with child ADHD. Journal of Development and Behavioral Pediatrics 28 (2): 82-91. PMID 17435458
  14. Uauy R, Hoffman DR, Peirano P, Birch DG, Birch EE (September 2001). Essential fatty acids in visual and brain development. Lipids 36 (9): 885-95
  15. Thomas Bartram (1998). Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. Pp. 271
  16. R. Del Johnson. Selenium: The Organic – Inorganic Debate Explained. Cascade Horseman, October 2007.
  17. Wardlaw, Hampl & Disilvestro. Perspectives in Nutrition. Sixth Edition. Trace Minerals. New York. McGaw-Hill. 2004
  18. Wardlaw, Hampl & Disilvestro. Perspectives in Nutrition. Sixth Edition. The Fat-Soluble Vitamins. New York. McGaw-Hill. 2004
  19. Klein EA, Lippman SM, Thompson IM, et al (2003) The selenium and vitamin E cancer prevention trial. World J Urol 21: 21-27
  20. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine: Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and carotenoids. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences, 2000.
  21. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids (Macronutrients). A report of the Panel on Macronutrients, Subcommittees on Upper Reference Levels of Nutrients and Interpretation and Uses of Dietary Reference Intakes, and the Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 2002.
  22. Conversion Efficiency of ALA to DHA in Humans. (http://dhaomega3.org)
  23. Information Sheet on Omega-3 Fats. (http://www.vegsoc.org/info/omega3.html). Vegetarian Society.