Omega-3 boost

| 2 June 2008
minute reading time

One of the arguments used to promote oily fish is that it provides the long chain omega-3 fats EPA and DHA important for health. Omega-3 from plants (ALA) is converted in the body to EPA and DHA but conversion rates may be low. However, new research indicates that vegetarians convert ALA at a better rate than fish-eaters. This may explain why fish-eaters and non fish-eaters have a smaller than expected difference in omega-3 levels.

Welch et al., 2008. Estimated conversion of alpha-linolenic acid to long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is greater than expected in non fish-eating vegetarians and non fish-eating meat-eaters than in fish-eaters. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. 21 (4) 404.

About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
I joined Viva! as a health campaigner in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. My scientific training helped me research and write numerous reports, guides and fact sheets for Viva! including Meat the Truth, Fish-Free for Life, One in Nine (breast cancer and diet) and the substantial report on the detrimental health effects of consuming dairy; White Lies. This accompanied Viva!’s report The Dark Side of Dairy which spelt out the inherent cruelty of dairy farming. We were the first UK group to take on the dairy industry in this way, and many of our supporters go vegan after reading these reports.

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