Abstract

The need of better labelling of fats in processed animal origin products is urgent. The lack of information makes it possible to exclude n-3 fatty acids in preparations of foods. The higher fat content, the higher n-6/n-3 ratio seems to be a rule. It is desirable to broaden the labelling into which oils have been used when foods are processed. The dietary balance of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids is important for homeostasis and normal development in humans. The ratio between n-6/n-3 fatty acids suggested to be evolutionary developed is between 1 and 4. The main conclusion is that the fat sources used during processing and preparation of convenient foods have the largest impact on the food FA content and composition. A proposal is therefore that this should be declared on the product label especially the n-3 FA content. It is also of large importance to increase consumption of freshwater fish fed suitable feeds containing n-3 fatty acids in central Europe to enable a generally lower n-6/n-3 ratio in the human diet. Therefore optimizing feeds to freshwater fish in culture is urgent and important.

Keywords

DHA; EPA; freshwater fish; n-6/n-3 ratio

Published in

Physiological Research // Academia Scientiarum Bohemoslovaca
2009, Volume: 58, number: Supplement 1, pages: S39-S45

SLU Authors

• Pickova, Jana

  • Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Food Science


Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/28311