ABSTRACT
n3 Fatty acids have important visual, mental, and cardiovascular
health benefits throughout the life cycle. Biodistribution, interconversion,
and dose response data are reviewed herein to provide a
basis for more rational n3 dose selections. Docosahexaenoic acid
(DHA) is the principal n3 fatty acid in tissues and is particularly
abundant in neural and retinal tissue. Limited storage of the n3
fatty acids in adipose tissue suggests that a continued dietary supply
is needed. A large proportion of dietary -linolenic acid (ALA) is
oxidized, and because of limited interconversion of n3 fatty acids
in humans, ALA supplementation does not result in appreciable
accumulation of long-chain n3 fatty acids in plasma. Eicosapentaenoic
acid (EPA) but not DHA concentrations in plasma increase
in response to dietary EPA. Dietary DHA results in a dosedependent,
saturable increase in plasma DHA concentrations and
modest increases in EPA concentrations. Plasma DHA concentrations
equilibrate in approximately 1 mo and then remain at steady
state throughout supplementation. DHA doses of 2 g/d result in a
near maximal plasma response. Both dietary DHA and EPA reduce
plasma arachidonic acid concentrations. Tissue contents of DHA
and EPA also increase in response to supplementation with these
fatty acids. Human milk contents ofDHAare dependent on diet, and
infant DHA concentrations are determined by their dietary intake of
this fatty acid.Weconclude that the most predictable way to increase
a specific long-chain n3 fatty acid in plasma, tissues, or human
milk is to supplement with the fatty acid of interest. Am J Clin
Nutr 2006;83(suppl):1467S?76S.
So it appears high-DHA oil is the way to go.
Have the full text, but the attachment thing appears to have disappeared.