B Meyer
Metabolic Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia

Long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) intakes are generally very low yet their attributed healthy benefits are enormous. Western countries’ intakes are approximately 200 mg per day whereas Japan has the highest intakes of 1200 mg per day, although Japanese living Hawaii consume approximately 360mg per day. The most studied research area for optimal health is pregnancy and cardiovascular disease, but there is also evidence for other disease states including inflammatory disease and behavioural disorders. Various professional bodies and government organisations have recommendations for LC n-3 PUFA intakes per day and these recommendations include: European Commission PERILIP and Early Nutrition Programming Project recommend at least 200mg of DHA for pregnant women; International Society of Fatty Acids and Lipids recommend 500mg per day; the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee recommend the consumption of 2 fish meals per week, preferably oil fish, which is equivalent to 500mg per day; the Australian National Health & Medical Research Council Suggested Dietary Target intakes are 610mg per day for men and 430mg per day for women; the Australian National Heart Foundation recommend 500mg per day for cardiovascular health and 1000mg per day for people with existing cardiovascular disease. However, the actual intakes of LC n-3 PUFA in Western countries fall short of these recommendations and these will be discussed in terms of pregnancy, children diagnosed with ADHD, depression and cardiovascular disease. Consumption of enrichment of foods with LC n-3 PUFA to meet the recommended intakes as well as ssessment of LC n-3 PUFA intakes using a validated electronic PUFA questionnaire will also be discussed.

Keywords: EPA, DHA, recommendations, LC n-3 PUFA
Schlüsselwörter: EPA, DHA, Empfehlungen, lc Omega-3 PUFA