E xper t Inf o r m at i o n 5/ 20 12
Fat t y A cid s a nd He a lt h
bio vis’
DIAGNOSTIK
Fatty Acids and Their Importance for Human Health
Summary – Dietetic Principles of Fatty Acids and Diagnostic Options at biovis Diagnostik
www.biovis.de
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Fatty Acids and Their Importance for Human Health
Today people suffer from omega-3fatty acid deficits in all industrial nations. This leads to an imbalance in favour of omega-6-fatty acids. Possible consequences for human health are explained in the following
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4
Picture 1 : The Most Important Omega-3-Fatty Acids
Omega-3-Fatty Acids HO 3
O
methyl end
Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA. C 18 : 3, Omega-3)
HO
3
O
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA, C 20 : 5, Omega-3)
3
HO O
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA, C 22 : 6, Omega-3)
What are Omega-6 Fatty Acids? Omega-6 fatty acids are also components of plants and seeds. Furthermore they are found in foods of animal origin. The structure of these fatty acids is identical with those of omega-3 fatty acids of the same length – the only exception is that Omega-3-fatty acids are herbal fatty acids accumulated in seeds and leaves of
the last double bond is in position omega 6 this means at the 6th C-atom from
plants. High concentrations are found in linseed oil (approx. 55-60%), chia oil (ap-
the end of the fatty acid chain. The most important representatives are linoleic
prox. 60 %), camelina oil (approx. 40 %), hemp oil (approx. 17 5), walnut oil (approx.
acid (18:2 n6) and arachidonic acid (20:4 n6). Linoleic acid is mainly of herbal
13 %), rapeseed oil (approx. 9 %) and in soya oil (approx. 8 %).
origin while arachidonic acid is mainly of animal origin.
Al these vegetable oils contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) – a fatty acid chain with 18 carbon atoms (C-atoms) in above mentioned concentrations. This fatty acid has three unsaturated double bonds between the 9th and 15th carbon atom. The name “omega-3” indicates that only 3 further saturated C-atoms follow to the end of the
Picture : The Most Important Omega-6-Fatty Acids
fatty acid chain. The abbreviation is 18:3 n3. This implies: a chain of 18 C-atoms: 3
Omega-6-Fatty Acids HO
double bonds. The last double bond is in position omega-3.
O
6
Linolenic Acid (LA, C 18:2, Omega-6) In addition algae and microalgae contain long-chain highly unsaturated fatty acids, like for example EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5, n3) and DHA (docosahexaenoic
HO
acid, 22:6 n3). They are basic nourishment of fish and are essential for optimizing membrane functions also at low temperatures.
O
Arachidonic Acid 1-2 % of the total weight of fish consist of EPA and DHA. E x p e r t I n f o r m at i o n 5 / 2 0 1 2
Fat t y A cid s a nd H e a lt h
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Fat t y A c id s a nd H e a lt h
6 (AA, C 20:4, Omega-6)
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6
Omega-3 and Omega-6 are competitors in the metabolic system
Omega-3
Delta-6-Desaturase
Rapeseed Oil
ALA
Linseed Oil
Can the EPA-/DHA Level Be Increased By Consumption of Herbal Omega-3-Fatty Acids? Wherever this question comes up, one always hears statements that only minimal
Walnut Oil
Soy Oil
conversion is possible in the body. The given details mention EPA conversion rates
Sunflower Oil
from of 1 % to 5 %. The conversion rate to DPA is supposedly only approximately
Thistle Oil
0.5%. It is correct that omega-6-fatty acids compete with omega-3-fatty acids for
Corn Oil
the same enzymes (*Picture 3, Page 7). These enzymes are desaturases and elon-
Linoleic Acid
very well. In adults, however, reduced consumption of omega-6-fatty acids is recommended to take pressure off the enzyme systems.
Picture: Omega-3- and Omega-6 fatty acids,competitors in the metabolic system.
In a study with 36 test persons the ratio of EPA:AA could be increased about 30 % after giving 13 ml linseed oil (7 g ALA) daily for a period of 6 weeks. The AA/EPA index decreased from 16:1 to 12:1. The percental EPA-share significantly rose from 0.7% to
Enzym
EPA
DHA
Arachidonic Acid
Delta-6-Desaturase
Omega-6
gases. They are responsible for the integration of double bonds and the extension of fatty acid chains. In newborns the conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA still works
Enzym
Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Your Health To put it very simple, one can say, that EPA and DHA develop anti-inflammatory
1.0 % EPA. There were no further dietary measures introduced to the test persons.
and arachidonic acid pro-inflammatory tissue hormones in metabolic processes
Other studies lead to similar results.
(prostaglandins). The omega-3-fatty acid alpha linolenic acid and the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid are essential. This means that the human organism cannot produce them independently. Converting omega-6 into omega-3 fatty acids is not possible within the human organism. The long-chain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid can be produced by the human organism itself or consumed with food. Therefore only linoleic aid and α-linolenic acid are called essential. In former times - before chemical classification - they were both called vitamin F. But even after accurate chemical classification nothing changes the fact, that they are just as important as vitamins.
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Cardiovascular Diseases Today one can safely assumed that high EPA ad DHA concentrations contribute to the reduction of lethal cardiovascular diseases. Omega-3- fatty acids also seem to have positive Influence in the scope of stroke prophylaxis (minus 30 %)
Pregnancy and Lactation Period During pregnancy and lactation period larger quantities of omega-3 are required to guarantee healthy development of babies. The infantile brain development de-
Malignoma
pends on sufficient omega-3 fatty acid supply. The mother’s EPA and DHA reserves
In the field of prostate carcinoma prevention it was observed that patients with
are responsible for adequate provision. At the same time the mother’s omega-3-
high EPA /DHA levels seem to be less susceptible. The risk of colon carcinoma and
fatty acid resources deplete. Sufficient consumption also seems to prevent post-
mamma carcinoma also seems to be increased when lacking EPA and DHA.
natal depressions. Premature births occur less frequently if enough omega-3 fatty
acid is consumed. Furthermore it has a positive effect on complex brain perfor-
Autoimmune Diseases
mance of children during lactation.
Anti-inflammatory /pro-inflammatory immune modulators seem to play a major role in inflammatory diseases with autoimmune components. Here the ratio of the
Eyes
eicosanoid basic products arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acid is of great signi-
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for structure and function of brain and eyes. This
ficance. The “Eicosanoid-Balance” seems to be important in genesis and mainte-
especially applies for DHA. The risk of macular degeneration also seems to correla-
nance of diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, colitis ulcerosa, Crohn’s disease, asthma
te with low EPA and DHA levels.
bronchiale, neurodermatitis or primary sclerosing cholangitis. Additional still pending intervention studies will provide final clarification. Based on own experience
Brain
with disordered “Eicosanoid-Balance”, we are positive that its support will lead to
Adequate omega-3 fatty acid levels have significant influence in the field of stroke
significant improvement.
prophylaxis (minus 30 %). Cognitive development in case of dementia and Alzheimer also seems to be positively influenced by sufficient consumption of omega-3
Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes Type 2
fatty acids. In case of depressions and bipolar disorders EPA substitution seems to
Where metabolic syndromes (diabetes mellitus 2, insulin resistance, hyperlipida-
be very successful. Reduced omega-3 fatty acid levels are also measured in pati-
emia, hypertonia, central obesity and nutritive toxic hepatosis) are concerned,
ents suffering from schizophrenia. In 3 of 4 studies positive effects could be obser-
differentiated examination of the fat metabolism is required. Only after reduced
ved when the omega-3 deficiencies were balanced.
consumption of saturated fats and carbohydrates with high glycaemic index com-
The attention deficit/hyperactivity syndrome is often also characterized by lacking
bined with exercises, a detailed analysis of omega fatty acid makes sense. We fre-
long-chain omega-3 fatty acid. The attention deficit/hyperactivity syndrome is
quently find disordered balance of omega-3 to omega-6-fatty acids in our own
often also characterized by lacking long-chain omega-3 fatty acid. 3 -6 months
patients. In these cases saturated fat and linoleic acid reduction seems to have
substitution showed long-term improvement of symptoms. Its effectiveness is
positive effects on insulin receptor functions.
comparable to that of Ritalin.
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Content of AA, EPA, DHEA, linolenic and linoleic acid in mg/100 g food
EPA
DHA
Linolenic Acid Linoleic Acid
(omega-6)
(omega-3)
(omega-3)
(omega-3)
Sardine oil
1756
10656
10656
2014
1327
Cod-liver Oil
935
10968
10968
935
935
Salmon Oil
675
18232
18232
1543
1061
Pork Liver
440
20
20
350
30
Egg Yolk
438
114
114
3538
103
Herring Oil
289
4206
4206
1149
763
Pork Heart
270
0
0
770
80
Salmon
267
1115
1115
172
295
dual therapy concepts.
Mackerel
183
1401
1401
219
159
Egg
142
37
37
1148
33
Recommendations based on your laboratory results may be as follows
Halibut
139
292
292
30
65
Venison
100
0
0
310
70
Eel
95
63
63
196
432
Shrimps
87
222
222
28
14
Oysters
80
292
292
58
50
Chicken
80
30
30
550
20
Pork , fat
80
0
0
1110
90
Minced Beef
80
0
0
530
70
Lamb
70
0
0
1240
390
Veal
70
0
0
360
40
Goose Liver
70
0
0
180
10
Herring
60
862
862
130
103
Beef
50
0
0
620
240
Calamari
39
81
81
9
0
Tuna
26
185
185
16
898
Saffron
13
0
0
754
1242
Bagel with Egg
12
3
3
600
26
Kelp (algae) 4
12
0
0
20
4
Zwieback
10
0
0 1
160
110
Biovis – Fatty Acid Diagnostics Biovis now offers – aside from a “Fatty Acid Profile” also Dry-Blood Spot Tests. These tests determine fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes. They are by far not influenced as much by dietetic factors as serum values. Analyse your fatty acid profile and learn about your individual cardio-vascular risk. With the aid of numerous new ratios (e.g. Budwig Index, Eicosanoid Balance and Lc Omega-3 index) the situation of the individual patients can be documented well and they help to develop indivi-
“Reduce saturated fatty acids in your diet” * (mostly animal fat) “Reduce arachidonic acid consumption” * One should always keep in mind that lack of essential fatty acids is just like vitamin deficiency. If it cannot be balanced by the diet, the consumption of dietary supplements is required (*see table on next page).
Fatty Acid DryBloodSpot
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Nervonic Acid
14
15
16
17
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Arachidic Acid
0
α-Linolenic Acid
5.000
γ-Linolenic Acid
Myristic Acid
10.000
Palmitic Acid
15.000
Docosapentaenoic Acid
20.000
Docosateraenoic Acid
Stearic Acid
25.000
Eicosapentaenoic Acid Behenic Acid
30.000
Homo-gamma Linolenic Acid Arachidonic Acid
35.000
Linoleic Acid
Palmitoleic Acid
40.000
Oleic Acid
Chromatogram
Arachidonic Acid Food
(omega-6)
Legend: ALA = α-linolenic acid, EPA = eicosapentaenoic acid, DHA = docosahexaenoic acid, ** = arachidonic acid Malignoma = tumour, malignant tissue development
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Carcinoma = cancer diseases emerging from cells in epithelial tissue of skin or mucosa (epithelia) Autoimmune Diseases = Diseases caused by excess reaction of the immune system Metabolic Syndrome: The Greek term ‘metabolic’ means caused by the metabolic system. One speaks of a syndrome if various symp-
Picture 4: Gas-chromatographic (GC) Fatty Acid Chromatogram
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toms occur at the same time. This term is frequently used when speaking about cardiovascular diseases.
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biovis’
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