ALA --> EPA/DHA Conversion - How effective is it?

Abbreviations:  Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), Docashexaenoic acid (DHA)

We eat far less Omega-3 fat than we used to and far less than we need.   Today, 95-99% of the population consumes an average of a mere 1/6^th of the Omega-3 eaten by people in the mid-1800's, which even then was not enough for optimum health.

Our cell membranes necessarily contain ALA,  which can be obtained by consuming the oils in flaxseed, nuts and seeds.    However , here is the much-debated . . .

“Billion-Dollar Omega-3 Question”

“Can we obtain EPA/DHA by converting ALA to the needed EPA/DHA, or is our only option to obtain them directly from fish or marine oil supplements" - The answer to this literally “billion-dollar” question greatly affects the share of profits in Omega-3 supplement sales

* Omega-3 DPA (Docosapentaenoic Acid) is an intermediate fatty acid between EPA and DHA found mainly in fish oil, seal oil and red meat.

To explain why some studies produced no DHA - leading expert on fats Dr. Udo Erasmus, points out that many factors affect conversion rate, and that when the brain has sufficient DHA, feedback inhibition stops further conversion until the DHA is used up. This feedback mechanism protects the body from getting too much DHA from ALA which could be possible by taking too much DHA-containing fish oil.

If ALA was not converted to EPA/DHA, those who do not eat fish or fish oil would be dead or near dead, since DHA only remains in the body for about a week.

Conclusion to the ALA Conversion Question

The study results are mixed, but most studies concur that ALA converts as far as EPA - and is thus able to inhibit negative prostaglandin/leukotriene production.

Although we can convert ALA to DHA, the body has a tough time of it - Many studies show a conversion rate of ~1% in infants and less in adults. Few studies demonstrate an increase of DHA in blood or breatmilk after several weeks of ALA supplementation.

Dr. Udo Erasmus considers that the ability to convert ALA to DHA is influenced to a greater degree by diet than by genetics. However, since many people have a less-than-perfect diet, this author concludes:

To ensure DHA presence, it would be prudent to:

-   Supplement the diet with fish and a quality marine oil (E.g. Neptune Krill Oil) - in addition to some ALA in the diet (E.g. ground flaxseed, flax oil supplement, walnuts), especially if a person has health issues concerning the DHA-needy nerves, brain, eyes, adrenals and/or sex organs.