Essential Fatty Acids Archives

EPA and DHA vs. Flaxseed Oil

Dear Dr. Stoll:

Could you give me some guidance about the need for EPA and DHA. I know the body is supposed to convert the Omega-3s of the Flaxseed oil into EPA and DHA, but how do I know if this conversion is taking place?

My wife has Alzheimers and I am giving her Flaxseed Oil (3000 mg/day in capsules) as well as high dosage vitamins B, E, C, etc. You may remember that you suggested the Flaxseed oil and the high dosage vitamin B about 2 years ago and she is doing reasonabl well. In Erasmus book, "Fats that heal fats that kill", he claims only "about 2 % and certainly less than 10% of the population" would require EPA and DHA supplementation. How do I know if my wife is in the 2 to 10% of the population that require the EPA/DHA supplements. Will her Alzheimer make it difficult for her body to convert the Omega 3 into EPA/DHA? Also if her body is converting the EPA/DHA and we give her supplements will that lower the body natural production of EPA/DHA.

I was planning to increase the Omega-3, but I had doubts about the best way to do it. If I knew that she was making the conversion to DHA/EPA I would just give her more flaxseed oil. However if she is not making the conversion then fish oil with DHA/EPA will be more indicated (In addition to the DHA/EPA, each 1000 mg capsule of the fish oil has about 500 mg of omega 3, LNA acid).

Also, I contacted a manufacturer of a DHA/EPA supplement and inquired about the amounts of Vitamin A and D in them and they replied that their product "does not contain Vitamin A or D because it is derived from fish body oils and not fish liver oils. Vitamin A and D is derived from fish liver oils". Do you think this is true?

Thank you, in advance, for your help.

Antonio

Follow Ups:

• Re: EPA and DHA vs. Flaxseed Oil (Archive in essential oils.) Walt Stoll 09:39:49 8/12/01 (0)

In Reply to: EPA and DHA vs. Flaxseed Oil posted by Antonio on August 10, 2001 at 17:13:25:

Hi, Antonio.

She will need a few complex (new) blood tests to determine the answers to your questions.

SO, you need to find an expert close to you who can help. Call (800) 843-9660 and ask them for a list of the docs near you who have subscribed to their service for at least 2 years. Those physicians would either know or know how to find out.

Take this note with you for the consultation along with her medical records and a life history constructed as described in the health coaching protocol.

Let us know what you learn.

Walt