Coleen Nolan, MSc, RD, DSM Nutritional Products10.14.13
You don’t have to spend much time navigating the web before you find a new study on omega 3 fatty acids. The enormous number of studies continues to climb as researchers discover more potential benefits of EPA and DHA across the lifespan. Research into omega 3s began with the 1970s study by Danish researchers showing very low occurrence of cardiovascular disease in Greenland Inuit, despite their high fat intake. This was attributed to their high consumption of omega 3 EPA/DHA from marine mammals.
Fast-forward 40 years to the present, and we find a significant body of evidence in the scientific literature to support omega 3 EPA/DHA’s role in human health. This has led to several international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), American and Canadian Dietetic Associations, International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL), and the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 recommending we all consume more fish, (especially oily), ideally two or more portions weekly. This translates to about 500 mg EPA+DHA daily.
Despite the guidance from these expert groups, actual EPA/DHA intakes across all age groups in the U.S. lag significantly behind what’s recommended. Deep-fried, fast-food fish sandwiches and fish sticks don’t make the grade, and most of us don’t eat enough seafood. These low population intakes have been estimated using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), which is a program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the U.S. NHANES data from 1999-2000 estimated average intakes of 20 mg DHA in children 0-6 years of age.
U.S. researchers recently published a study using data from the 2003-2008 cycles of NHANES to identify the foods that are the greatest contributors to PUFA intake among children 1-5 years of age and the types of fish consumed. Daily dietary intake of PUFAs was also estimated, according to age, race and ethnicity to examine changes with age, or differences among ethnic groups. Nearly 3,000 children (2,885) representative of the U.S. population, were included in the survey. As with the 1999-2000 NHANES data, this more recent survey estimated the same average level of DHA intake, 20 mg/day, which, when compared to average estimates in infants (42 and 70 mg/day, based on breast milk and DHA-fortified formula, respectively), represents a 48-71% reduction in DHA intake. These low numbers are comparable to data estimates from other countries, with ranges of 23-93 mg/day DHA in children 1-8 years of age.
So, despite the double-digit growth in U.S. omega 3 EPA/DHA supplement and functional food sales during the past decade and into the future, it appears that our kids are still not reaping the benefits from improved omega 3 intakes. We have work to do, in order to educate parents of the importance of achieving adequate omega 3 intakes for the whole family, by feeding our families more fish, as recommended by the 2010 USDA dietary guidelines or for those who prefer, via daily omega 3 EPA/DHA supplements and/or fortified foods.
Fast-forward 40 years to the present, and we find a significant body of evidence in the scientific literature to support omega 3 EPA/DHA’s role in human health. This has led to several international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), American and Canadian Dietetic Associations, International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL), and the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 recommending we all consume more fish, (especially oily), ideally two or more portions weekly. This translates to about 500 mg EPA+DHA daily.
Despite the guidance from these expert groups, actual EPA/DHA intakes across all age groups in the U.S. lag significantly behind what’s recommended. Deep-fried, fast-food fish sandwiches and fish sticks don’t make the grade, and most of us don’t eat enough seafood. These low population intakes have been estimated using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), which is a program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the U.S. NHANES data from 1999-2000 estimated average intakes of 20 mg DHA in children 0-6 years of age.
U.S. researchers recently published a study using data from the 2003-2008 cycles of NHANES to identify the foods that are the greatest contributors to PUFA intake among children 1-5 years of age and the types of fish consumed. Daily dietary intake of PUFAs was also estimated, according to age, race and ethnicity to examine changes with age, or differences among ethnic groups. Nearly 3,000 children (2,885) representative of the U.S. population, were included in the survey. As with the 1999-2000 NHANES data, this more recent survey estimated the same average level of DHA intake, 20 mg/day, which, when compared to average estimates in infants (42 and 70 mg/day, based on breast milk and DHA-fortified formula, respectively), represents a 48-71% reduction in DHA intake. These low numbers are comparable to data estimates from other countries, with ranges of 23-93 mg/day DHA in children 1-8 years of age.
So, despite the double-digit growth in U.S. omega 3 EPA/DHA supplement and functional food sales during the past decade and into the future, it appears that our kids are still not reaping the benefits from improved omega 3 intakes. We have work to do, in order to educate parents of the importance of achieving adequate omega 3 intakes for the whole family, by feeding our families more fish, as recommended by the 2010 USDA dietary guidelines or for those who prefer, via daily omega 3 EPA/DHA supplements and/or fortified foods.
