Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid nutrition amongst Malaysians are far from desirable
- Author:
Tony Kock Wai Ng
;
Sivalingam Nalliah
;
Azlinda Hamid
;
Siew Rong Wong
;
Sim Ling Chee
;
Cheryl Andrea Augustine
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, Malaysians intake
- From:International e-Journal of Science, Medicine and Education
2012;6(2):4-9
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
This paper reviews available reports on the
omega-6 (linoleic acid, LA) and omega-3 fatty acid
[alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) + eicosapentaenoic acid
(EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid) intakes amongst
Malaysians against Malaysian Recommended Nutrient
Intakes (RNI), focussing particularly on pregnant and
lactating women because of the availability of data for
these latter vulnerable groups. Overall, the omega-6 and
omega-3 fatty acid nutrition amongst Malaysians are
poor and far from desirable. The nutritional situation
regarding these long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
(LCPUFA) amongst Malaysian pregnant and lactating
women is alarming and warrants urgent attention
in nutrition promotion activities/counselling. Daily
consumption of LA by these women and other Malaysians
studied ranged from 3.69 - 5.61 % kcal with 38-60% of
individuals not meeting their RNIs. Daily intakes of
omega-3 fatty acids faired worse, averaging 0.21- 0.33
% kcal with as high as 92% of subjects in one study not
meeting their RNIs. The omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid
ratios obtained in the studies reviewed are about 20:1,
which is way above the World Health Organisationrecommended
ratio of 5-10:1. Dietary sources of these
omega- fatty acids in the subjects studied are chicken,
fish and milk. Since local foods are not particularly
rich in LCPUFA such as EPA and DHA, the options
to improve EPA/DHA nutrition amongst Malaysians are
the greater consumption of omega-3 enriched foods and
in the case of pregnant and lactating women, LCPUFA
supplementation may warrant serious consideration.
- Full text:W020151005522523709073.pdf
