A few days back, someone asked about other sources of
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs). I didn't keep the original post, so if
you need more info than I list here, please e-mail me.
The two key PUFAs in the human diet are Linoleic Acid (LA) and
alpha-linolenic acid (LNA), which are both essential fatty acids (meaning
that the body doesn't make them from other products, we must ingest
them). The best sources of LA and LNA are soybean and canola oil.
Other vegetable oils (including safflower oil) are good sources of LA, but
not LNA. Other dietary sources of LNA are soy milk, tofu, tempeh, flax
seed and oil, green leafy vegetables, walnuts and beans.
Since the conversation lately has been on DHA (docosahexaenoic acid),
I'll mention that both LA and LNA are precursors for the production of
DHA in the body. All play a very important role in brain development. The
best dietary source of DHA is fish rich in oil - salmon, trout, tuna,
mackerel, herring, sardines, atlantic bluefish and lake trout. However, as
we know, caution should be taken to avoid contaminated fish.
The Food and Agricultural Organization recommends that at least 6% of
the calories of a lactating woman's diet be from the essential fatty acids
(LA and LNA).
This information was taken from: "The Role of Lipids in Fetal Brain
Development" by AG Duque, MS RD LD. In The Perinatal Nutrition Report,
Spring 1997, p. 4-5. This is a newsletter of the Perinatal Practice Group
of the American Dietetic Association. Information on
subscriptions/reprints could be directed to Julie Clapp at
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Debi VanderMey Barr, MS RD/LD
Portland, Oregon
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