Journal
CURRENT OPINION IN CLINICAL NUTRITION AND METABOLIC CARE
Volume 10, Issue 2, Pages 123-128Publisher
LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
DOI: 10.1097/MCO.0b013e3280129652
Keywords
docosahexaenoic acid; eicosapentaenoic acid; farmed fish; fish oil; omega 3 fatty acids; wild fish
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Funding
- NHLBI NIH HHS [HL40404] Funding Source: Medline
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Purpose of review: We asses the toxicological, environmental and economic aspects of sources of fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 fatty acids). Recent findings: Fish oils are the most common source of very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, which have been protective and beneficial effects on conditions such as cardiovascular, inflammatory, or neurological diseases. Fish oils can also be potential hazards for human health, because external pollutants bioaccumulating in fish. Wild and farmed fish are generally both similar in n-3 fatty acid content but may vary in terms of potential toxins. Reports on aquaculture and fish oil production, and other sources of n-3 fatty acids, are reviewed to assess which may be more suitable economically and ecologically for higher fish oil production and availability. Summary: Although today's fish oil production meets demand, it is likely that this will not be able to increase without adversely affecting the world's wild stock fish. Neither wild nor farmed fish constitute a sustainable source of n-3 fatty acids for supplementation. Solutions may be found through the evolution of the current aquaculture system or the utilization of alternative manufacturing sources for increasing intakes of n-3 acids.
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