2- What foods are good sources of EPA and DHA?

2- What foods are good sources of EPA and DHA?

? Please type your answers now.

? Foods that are good sources of EPA and DHA include fish such as salmon, albacore tuna, sardines, lake trout, and mackerel.

? (Some texts give the following mnemonic for remembering the recommended fish as SMASH: Salmon, Mackerel, Anchovies, Sardines, and Herring.)

? All of these fish contain high levels of the two omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

? The reason for this dietary recommendation was research that supported the idea that omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by decreasing blood clot formation, blood triglyceride levels, and growth of atherosclerotic plaque.......

? with consequent improvement of arterial health and decrease in blood pressure and the risk of sudden death and heart arrythmias.

? We can understand why this should be so since it is known that EPA is a precursor for the synthesis of prostacyclin, which inhibits clumping of platelets and thus reduces clot formation.

? Note also that DHA is one of the major fatty acids in the phospholipids of sperm and brain cells, as well as in the retina.

? It has also been shown to reduce triglyceride levels by an as yet understood mechanism.

? Note also that linolenic acid is an essential fatty acid which seems to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease

? However, it is not clear whether it acts alone or because it is the precursor of DHA and EPA.

Essential Fatty Acids

LINOLEIC

CH3(CH2)4CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)7COOH

18:2 n-6

LINOLENIC CH3CH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)7COOH

18:3 n-3

EICOSOPENTAENOIC ACID- (EPA)

CH3CH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)3COOH

20:5 n-3

DOCOSOHEXAENOIC ACID ? (DHA)

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