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The effect of age and gender on current and potential intakes of very long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from oil-rich fish and animal derived foods in the UK

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 November 2017

R.A. Gibbs*
Affiliation:
University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
D.I. Givens
Affiliation:
University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
C. Rymer
Affiliation:
University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
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Extract

The health benefits of consuming sufficient very long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC n-3 PUFA) such as EPA (C20:5) and DHA (C22:6) are well established. A key supplier of these fatty acids is oil-rich fish, however a recent study relating to UK adults indicated that only 27% of the population consume oil-rich fish and current intakes of VLC n-3 PUFA are substantially sub-optimal (Givens and Gibbs, 2006). There is also evidence to indicate that in vivo conversion of alpha linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3) to EPA and DHA is limited and highlights the need for an increased supply of preformed EPA and DHA in the diet. The role of animal-derived foods in the supply of VLC n-3 PUFA has been identified and emphasis has been placed on the need to enrich foods such as poultry meat which are widely consumed in order to make a valuable contribution to the supply of EPA and DHA to those with low or zero oil-rich fish consumption. However the effect of age and gender on intakes remained unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of age and gender on oil-rich fish consumption.

Type
Theatre Presentations
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2007

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References

BEIS. 2005. The British Egg Industry Service. www.britegg.co.uk Google Scholar
Givens, DI and Gibbs, RA. 2006. Very long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the food chain and the potential of animal-derived foods to increase intake. Nutrition Bulletin , 31. Pgs 104–110.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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