Omega 3's/flax/cod liver [was: What's so great about flax oil?]

January 28, 2002

Could someone please spell out the acronyms below: PUFA, LNA, DHA,

and EPA -- and provide explanations or point out references?

I've been wondering about Omega 3's too. Is it necessary to take flax

oil if you're taking cod liver oil regularly? Also what is the

difference among brands of cod liver oil? As a student on a budget,

I went for the Twinlab's Dale variety. Is that good

enough?

Thanks,

D.

> Dear ,

> I have wondered both silently and aloud on these very questions

> and as far as I am concerned you are absolutely correct. It is clear

> that excess PUFA's are toxic and poisonous even in slight excess.

> Usually the PUFA deficiencies that are observed are with people who

> are not converting and processing their fats well. I am not

> suggesting not to eat PUFA's however your line of thinking as to how

> to get them is right on the money.

> This single biggest thing I'm confused about after reading a lot

> about traditional nutrition is flax oil. I understand and

appreciate

> our need for omega-3's, but why on earth would anyone want to get

> them from LNA instead of DHA and EPA? The conversion rate from LNA

to

> EPA and DHA is awful - about 2% to 4%. The absorbtion rate of omega-

> 3's is not good w/o saturated fat, but most people take flax as a

> supplement or mixed with olive oil in a salad.

>

> As the WAP site points out repeatedly, excessive polyunsaturates

can

> do you harm and that we mostly consume our omega's in trace amounts

> with whole foods. So why violate that principle by taking flax oil?

>

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