Fish oils vs. Plant oils

Tree, co-admin at Barefooters' Holistic compiled this thought provoking article:

Plant sources of Omega 3 contain neither EPA nor DHA. The human body can (and in case of a purely vegetarian diet often must, unless certain algae or supplements derived from them are consumed) convert ALA to EPA and subsequently DHA. This however requires more metabolic work, which is thought to be the reason that the absorption of essential fatty acids is much greater from animal rather than plant sources. (taken from Wikipedia)



(Then from Udo's website) "Some nutritionists point to the fact that oily fish contains the longchain omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA in a pre-formed state, and that these have heart protective properties. However, promoting fish for this reason ignores the fact that the body can convert plant sources of LNA into EPA and DHA. This has been shown by a number of studies which have demonstrated that plant LNA-rich oils significantly elevate tissue levels of omega-3 long chain PUFAs. Of course if this were not the case, then millions of non-fish-eating vegetarians across the world would have increased cardiovascular risk, but all the evidence points to reduced rates of coronary heart disease for vegetarians.



"There are simple ways to enhance the conversion of LNA to EPA/DHA in the body. Diets too high in LA may inhibit the production of EPA and DHA from LNA. In practice, replacing oils high in LA like sunflower, corn or soya oil with oils high in LNA like flaxseed (linseed) or rapeseed (canola) oil will help the body produce the necessary EPA and DHA.



"What does the research tell us?



Much of the promotion of fish as heart-friendly has been based on evidence from secondary prevention trials. These trials have investigated whether advising people to eat fish can prevent a second heart attack from occurring. The DART and GISSI trials are the two best known studies and have demonstrated that marine fatty acids significantly reduce mortality in people who already have cardiovascular disease. However, much less publicised are the trials that have looked at the link between plant-derived LNA and the prevention of secondary heart disease. For example, the LYON study has demonstrated that eating plant-derived LNA reduces the risks of secondary heart disease by more than double that found in the fish-based studies!"



Question ~~ I noticed that Udo Eramus mentioned at the end of the featured video, that he is now working with red-brown algae, therefore permitting "safe" non-animal oil consumption of the EPA and DHA! ..... does he sell this? (I couldn't find it.)