Our Peer-Reviewed Publications

[1]

Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Nutrition and Medicine: Considering Microalgae Oil as a Vegetarian Source of EPA and DHA

Scott D. Doughman^1,2, Srirama Krupanidhi¹ and Carani B. Sanjeevi³,

Curr Diabetes Rev. 2007, 3:198-203; Bentham Scientific Publications.

PMID 18220672

Department of Biosciences, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam, 515134, India.
Department of Nutrition,School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 25799, USA.
Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

Abstract: Long-chain EPA/DHA omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can be co-preventative and co-therapeutic. Current research suggests increasing accumulated long chain omega-3s for health benefits and as natural medicine in several major diseases. But many believe plant omega-3 sources are nutritionally and therapeutically equivalent to the EPA/DHA omega-3 in fish oil. Although healthy, precursor ALA bio-conversion to EPA is inefficient and production of DHA is nearly absent, limiting the protective value of ALA supplementation from flax-oil, for example. Along with pollutants certain fish acquire high levels of EPA/DHA as predatory species. However, the origin of EPA/DHA in aquatic ecosystems is algae. Certain microalgae produce high levels of EPA or DHA. Now, orginically produced DHA-rich microalgae oil is available. Clinical trials with DHA-rich oil indicate comparable efficacies to fish oil for protection from cardiovascular risk factors by lowering plasma triglycerides and oxidative stress. This review discusses 1) omega-3 fatty acids in nutrition and medicine; 2) omega-3s in physiology and gene regulation; 3) possible protective mechanisms of EPA/DHA in major diseases such as coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, cancer and type 2 diabetes; 4) EPA and DHA requirements considering fish oil safety; and 5) microalgae EPA and DHA-rich oils and recent clinical results.

Keywords: Omega-3s, Schizochytrium, Fish Oil, Algae Oil, EPA, DHA. [PDF: temporarily available]

[2]

A Substitute for Fish Oil: Qualifying Algae Oil Omega-3s as a Medical Food

Scott D. Doughman

Source-Omega, LLC Chapel Hill, USA

Narosa Publications [in press]

Excerpt 2.

ALGAE OIL IS A NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICAL FOOD.

Algae oil clinical applications so far fulfill the absolute requirements needed to be a reliable fish oil substitute in omega-3 medicine. Medical food qualifications for omega-3s are based on a large and growing body of evidence. The term medical food, as defined in section 5(b) of the Orphan Drug Act (21 U.S.C. 360ee (b) is "a food which is formulated to be consumed or administered enterally under the supervision of a physician and which is intended for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements, based on recognized scientific principles, are established by medical evaluation" [www.fda.gov]. Medical foods are specially formulated for the dietary management of a disease that has distinctive nutritional needs not met by normal diet alone. Algae oil is an appropriate medical food source for specialty diets, those with allergies to fish and other non-fish eating populations as a substitute for fish oil. In order for algae oil to be considered a medical food, the omega-3s require oral ingestion and must be labeled for use in treatment of one condition specific disease, for which there are definite nutritional requirements.

RELATED PRESS: The Source-Omega company's invited manuscript was accepted after independent international peer review. It is published as an academic chapter in the book Environmental Pollution: Ecology and Human Health, published by Narosa [http://www.narosa.com/books_display.asp?catgcode=978-81-8487-112-8].

Source: pr.com/press-release/369188

DISCUSSION: BANG et al., 1971*: (*not our paper, presented for discussion:)

ASSERTION: The original Eskimo studies showed intestinal lipoprotein concentrations inversely correlated with DHA/EPA intake, suggesting postprandial benefits from DHA-rich diets reduce dietary blood fat concentrations and risk of type 2 diabetes. Heart health was a benefit interpreted from this data, not demonstrated. Type 2 diabetes risk reduction was implicated in the Eskimo studies, but not further interpreted, even though it was arguably the only correct interpretation of that data. [Bang, Dyerburg, Neilsen, Lancet 1971, June 5, p. 1143-1145] PLASMA LIPID AND LIPOPROTEIN PATTERN IN GREENLANDIC WEST-COAST ESKIMOS.

NOTE: Translation of pre-beta-lipoprotein is today called a Chylomicron, an intestinal originating lipoprotein, not a liver originating lipoprotein.

KEY: For BANG et al., 1971

pre-beta-lipoprotein	Chylomicron "Intestinal Lipoprotein" transports only to the liver
beta-lipoprotein	LDL "Bad Cholesterol" transports to the body and organs
alpha-lipoprotein	HDL "Good Cholesterol" transports back to liver from body and organs

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