Essential Fatty Acids Archives

Interesting Article About Fish Oil

I found this article on the Life Extension Foundation website:

Vitamin B6 Deficiencies Might Explain Need for Fish Oil Supplements
Essential Fats
E. Siguel, MD PhD
October 10, 2001

Vitamin B6 deficiencies might explain need for fish oil supplements

October 8, 2001

BOSTON (essentialfats.com)-- Deficiencies of vitamin B6 impair the body's ability to make enough of the different types of essential fats. This deficiency explains why some people need to take supplements of special fats such as fish oils.

Linolenic acid (ALA) is an w3 Essential Fatty Acid (EFA), a fat which the body cannot make and must be obtained in the diet. The other EFA is linoleic acid (LA, an w6). ALA and LA are the parents of the two families of polyunsaturated fatty acids known as the w3s (omega-3s) and w6s. ALA, LA, and all the derivatives that come from them make up essential fats, substances which are critical to proper body function. ALA w3 derivates include EPA and DHA, which are marketed in fish oils. One LA w6 derivative is ARA. The essential fats help form cell membranes and are precursors of the eicosanoid hormones, which regulate a wide range of body functions, including immunological and inflammatory responses (see www.essentialfats.com for definitions).

To study whether vitamin B6 affects fatty acid metabolism, Dr Tsuge and colleagues from Gifu University in Yanagido, Japan fed rats a vitamin B6 deficient diet for 5 wks. The rat diet consisted of 70% vitamin-free casein (a protein) and 10% perilla oil (high in the w3 fatty acid ALA). The researchers report in the Journal of Nutrition that B6 deficiency leads to decreased formation of w3 derivatives.

Dr Tsuge found that the B6-deficient group and the control group had similar amounts of LA and ARA (w6 essential fats). However, the B6-deficient group had lower ratios of EPA and DHA (w3 derivatives) than did the controls. The activity of delta-6-desaturase, the enzyme that converts the EFAs LA and ALA to their derivatives, was approximately 64% lower in the B6-deficient group than in the control group. The activity of Acyl-CoA oxidase, an initial enzyme of the peroxisomal beta-oxidation pathway, was reduced by approximately 80% in the B6-deficient group.

Says Dr. Tsuge, "These data suggest that B6 deficiencies impair the metabolism of w3 PUFA from alpha-linolenic acid to EPA and DHA with the most pronounced reduction in the production of DHA." In other words, the researchers suggest that B6 deficiency leads to lowered enzyme activity, which impairs formation of derivatives like EPA and DHA from the parent EFA. Thus, people deficient in B6 may need to take fish oil supplements, which contain EPA and DHA... or they can take a daily multivitamin at a fraction of the cost.

Taking reasonable amounts of B6 has few side effects but may have other benefits, such as preventing high homocysteine levels, which have been associated with heart disease.

Moral (essentialfats.com) . It is possible to have a blood test for deficiency of B6. However, we cannot have all possible blood tests for every potential deficiency. These tests should be reserved for complex cases. The best approach is to eat a variety of natural foods to provide a nutrient dense diet with plenty of protein and essential fats. Eat more lean meats and vegetables, some fruits, and fewer processed carbohydrates (breads, cereals, pasta, cookies, etc). This diet will usually provide enough B6.

A multivitamin with minerals (100% RDA, usually includes B6) taken 3-5 times per week will provide adequate levels of nutrients for most patients. Patients at risk of CVD, pregnant women, those with intestinal malabsorption (i.e., Crohn's disease), and other at-risk patients may be provided with additional supplements.

Patients with diabetes and intestinal malabsorption should be tested for fatty acid abnormalities to ensure they have enough essential fats. If the results show an inability to make enough EPA and DHA, then they should be tested for B6, biotin, zinc and other nutritional deficiencies that impair the ability to make essential fats. Some individuals may need fish oil supplements containing DHA. DHA is usually promoted in advertisements as a way to improve brain function. Instead, most people can make DHA from the ALA found in inexpensive flax or soybean, as long as they have enough B6 and other nutrients. References Tsuge H, Hotta N, Hayakawa T. Effects of vitamin B-6 on (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism. J Nutr 2000 Feb;130(2S Suppl):333S-334S Siguel, EN. Essential Fatty Acids in Health and Disease (Nutrek Press, PO Box 10187 Dept N, Gaithersburg, MD 20898 $39.95, and forthcoming updates).

This material is not medical care or advice and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. By reading or using the information contained in or implied by this article, you agree that the content provider shall not be liable for any content errors, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Use of this information is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions at essentialfats.com . © 2000 Edward Siguel. All rights reserved.
Copyright 1999 Edward N. Siguel. All Rights Reserved

Re: B6 and/or Fish Oil? Walt and HY

Re: Interesting Article About Fish Oil

Re: B6 and/or Fish Oil? Walt and HY (Archive in EFAs.)