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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by iforgotmypassword on July 2, 2009, at 11:05:54
http://www2.healthyimmunity.com/Omegavega-Vegetarian-Omega-3-6-9.html
GLA already looks like something beneficial to take...
is a product like this the best way to go about things?
ALA, SDA and GLA all seem to make EPA. i'm not sure how they are calculating their EPA number, only from the SDA in the oil initially or the SDA that will also derive from the ALA (possibly GLA as well, or maybe the cycle is totally different?) they reference something, more stuff that will probably confuse me.
i guess i would end up taking a tablespoon...
if this is at all legit...
lots of other "lost nutrients" i have to handle:
-carnitine
-creatine
-lipoic acid
-carnosine (possibly?)
-b vitamins in general, vegans seem to have high homocysteine if i remember (and there's lots to remember)
Posted by Larry Hoover on July 3, 2009, at 17:58:37
In reply to EPA production in vegans; does this make sense?, posted by iforgotmypassword on July 2, 2009, at 11:05:54
> http://www2.healthyimmunity.com/Omegavega-Vegetarian-Omega-3-6-9.html
>
> GLA already looks like something beneficial to take...
>
> is a product like this the best way to go about things?Only if you're opposed to eating fish or taking fish oil. Otherwise, it's the best vegetarian solution to the long-chain omega-3 situation that I've ever seen.
> ALA, SDA and GLA all seem to make EPA.
Uhhh, no. According to one study referenced by these folk, SDA is partially converted to EPA. ALA does not convert to EPA to an appreciable extent. The conversion is slight. GLA does not convert to EPA at all. It's an omega-6 fatty acid, and the others are all omega-3s.
> i'm not sure how they are calculating their EPA number, only from the SDA in the oil initially or the SDA that will also derive from the ALA (possibly GLA as well, or maybe the cycle is totally different?) they reference something, more stuff that will probably confuse me.
The EPA number is solely derived from the amount of SDA they provide, and assumes that your body will actually make the amount they predict.
> i guess i would end up taking a tablespoon...
It does contain some DHA, and that's a good thing, because your body is virtually incapable of forming any on its own.
Fish actually derive almost all their omega-3s from algal DHA. Their enzymes do the opposite of what ours do, shortening and saturating DHA.
Lar
Posted by iforgotmypassword on July 6, 2009, at 15:41:27
In reply to Re: EPA production in vegans; does this make sense? » iforgotmypassword, posted by Larry Hoover on July 3, 2009, at 17:58:37
it does? they have some article or something that explains the reasoning, i guess i should try to get a copy. how solid do you imagine the logic being?
are there any other factors in this (SDA to EPA conversion) that must be present for conversion to be significant? like how estrogen increases ALA to EPA conversion.
if 1g of ALA is really in 5mL of that stuff, at least a bit has to make EPA, doesn't it? perhaps especially considering the fact that i take HRT. i've heard these 5%-10% conversion numbers, i don't know where i got them, how valid they are... some EPA has to come out of taking a full gram of EPA; to predict, any amount or range you would consider valid?
Posted by Larry Hoover on July 7, 2009, at 21:00:35
In reply to do you think the SDA makes as much EPA as they say » Larry Hoover, posted by iforgotmypassword on July 6, 2009, at 15:41:27
> it does? they have some article or something that explains the reasoning, i guess i should try to get a copy. how solid do you imagine the logic being?
I don't understand what you're referring to here.
> are there any other factors in this (SDA to EPA conversion) that must be present for conversion to be significant? like how estrogen increases ALA to EPA conversion.
The most important would be to have low intake of omega-6 fats, something the Western diet is far too high in.
> if 1g of ALA is really in 5mL of that stuff, at least a bit has to make EPA, doesn't it? perhaps especially considering the fact that i take HRT. i've heard these 5%-10% conversion numbers, i don't know where i got them, how valid they are... some EPA has to come out of taking a full gram of EPA; to predict, any amount or range you would consider valid?It's generally accepted that 5% conversion of ALA to EPA is about all that can be expected. Individual variability would probably put it at between 1% and 15%, at the extremes. Variables include gender, genetics, and diet. The only one of those you can do anything about is diet. Omega-6s and omega-3s compete for the same enzymes. You want the omega-3s to be successful, or the omega-6 family based on gamma-linolenic acid, but not the omega-6 family arising from linoleic acid, which terminates in the pro-inflammatory arichadonic acid.
Lar
Posted by Larry Hoover on July 7, 2009, at 21:05:23
In reply to Re: do you think the SDA makes as much EPA as they say » iforgotmypassword, posted by Larry Hoover on July 7, 2009, at 21:00:35
>the pro-inflammatory arichadonic acid.
typo....that should read arachidonic acid.
This is the end of the thread.
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