Omega-3 SDA - a sustainable omega solution in addressing autoimmunity ?
Camilla Brinkworth | Co-founder of PhytoLove
Financial disclosure : PhytoLove holds exclusive distribution rights for refined Buglossoides arvensis seed oil for use in human and canine supplements in Australia and New Zealand .
Abstract
Around 90 % of Australians intake insufficient or imbalanced omegas — with notable systemic health implications , including driving autoimmunity . Plant-derived options are considered ineffective in meeting omega-3 needs , due to poor conversion to long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids ( LCPUFA ) as detected in the blood . Additionally , with mounting concerns of environmental toxicity and harmful environmental consequences , many seek a solution outside of traditional marine-derived omega sources . Furthermore , it is now recognised that , due to no meaningful retro-conversion , focusing solely on marine and algal supplementation negates the consideration of important omega-3 metabolites and omega-6 GLA . Omega-3 Stearidonic Acid ( SDA ), demonstrates rising therapeutic recognition and presents a new possibility for plant sources to meet LCPUFA intake needs efficiently , by-passing the rate-limiting delta-6-desaturase enzyme step to meet EPA and DHA needs . Refined Buglossoides arvensis seed oil , the highest known natural plant source of omega-3 SDA , effectively provides the most diverse array of oxylipin precursors and anti-inflammatory substrates from complementary omega 3 / 6 pathways and presents a sustainable option for meeting essential fatty acid requirements and mitigating auto-immune clinical presentations .
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Omega 3s and 6s
Omega-3s and omega-6s polyunsaturated fatty acids play important roles systemically and are pivotal in maintaining cell membrane integrity throughout the body . They hold particular importance to immunity , inflammation management , cardiovascular , neurological , integumentary , hormonal and musculoskeletal health . While omega intake and balance have well-accepted impacts on human health , 80-90 % of Australians are considered to ingest inadequate omega-3 but excess omega-6 , likely leading to pro-inflammatory effects and driving auto-immune presentations .( 1 , 2 )
Omega Choices – Short-chain v Long-chain Options
Short-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids Omega-3 ALA and omega-6 LA are the only biologically essential fatty acids , meaning that the human body cannot produce them from other precursors , and they must be ingested from our diets .( 3 ) However , due to EPA ’ s and DHA ’ s wellstudied pro-resolving mediators and ALA ’ s widely accepted poor conversion to these longer-chain omega metabolites in most people , dietary supplementation in clinical practice predominantly focuses on these omegas .
218 | vol30 | no4 | JATMS