Hi Winnie,  

 

I doubt it.  I recently heard Dr. Michel Odent speak at a conference in
Fishkill NY on several topics including DHA/ARA.  From my notes:  The human
brain - fatty organ 3x larger than that of chimp. Human milk has much higher
percentage of fat relative to that of other mammals.  Human Milk and
"seafish" (say it with a French accent) are the only two naturally
(non-man-made) sources of DHA.  He was not really convinced that fish-oil
DHA in pill form is as well absorbed as just eating "seafish". He
recommended eating the smaller fish, low in the food chain (lower possible
levels of mercury), sardines, mackerel, anchovies, etc., and close to their
natural state, raw.  When concerns about mercury levels were raised by the
attendees, he explained that the mercury in fish, methylmercury cystine is
less damaging; and that in countries and communities that live close to the
sea and eat seafish several times a day, IQs are higher (think of dolphins).


 

And for those who don't eat seafish, he recommended eating lots of sources
of omega 6 & 9 - linoleic acid, ARA-  in nuts, seeds, greens, etc. and to
avoid blocking agents that inhibit the manufacture of DHA in our bodies such
as alcohol, sugar (particularly man-made sugars such as soft drinks) and
trans fats-hydrogenated oils and high levels of stress hormones-cortizone.
(Be happy)  And to eat foods that facilitate the manufacture of DHA in our
bodies such as fresh fruits and veggies that have enzymes - catalysts, and
minerals such as magnesium, zinc, Vit C,A, E, carotenoids, flavonoids (add
deep color to fruits), iodine.  

 

He added that the decrease in fish consumption was followed by an increase
in premature birth.  He said this may be because if baby is not getting
sufficient amounts of DHA while in the womb, it may be born ahead of
schedule to improve it chances of getting a better source of DHA -human milk
highlighting how important it is for premies to get breastmilk. The
percentage of premature births to mothers that ate no fish was 7.1. For
mothers that ate fish it was 1.9%. (From a study he quoted.) He recommends
doing these dietary improvements before "conception of babies".  This, he
says, is most important.  

 

If only all the energy and money spent researching how to improve formulas
by adding DHA was spent on developing programs on nutrition education for
all.  J

 

Carmen 

Carmen Clark, LLLL, IBCLC

324 Edgewood Avenue

Teaneck, NJ 07666

(h)201-837-7646

(c)201-214-7222

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:    Mon, 4 Jun 2007 11:20:52 -0500

From:    Winifred Mading <[log in to unmask]>

Subject: Re: fish oil as source for ARA and DHA?

 

I remember hearing a speaker many years ago (at least 15-20) when the value
of these substances was first being talked about.  He pointed out that while
both are in fish oil, they are not in the same proportion to each other as
they are in human milk.  It was also pointed out that to be effective, the
proportion had to be right, therefore fish oil was not the answer to meet
the human infant's DHA/ARA requirements.  This was before the fungus and
algae concoctions were dreamed up.  I'm wondering if these new addatives are
in the exact proportions as occurs normally in human milk?

 

Winnie

 

 


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