The health benefits associated with alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) consumption include cardiovascular effects, neuro-protection, a counter to the inflammation response, and benefits against autoimmune disease. However, the longer-chain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have received more study from scientists and more attention from the consumers. "For many years, the importance of the only member of the omega 3 family considered to be essential, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), has been overlooked,"​ states a special article published in this month's Nutrition Reviews​. The review, by Aliza Stark and Ram Reifen from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Michael Crawford from the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition at London Metropolitan University, is concise, timely and necessary as consumer awareness and interest in omega-3 grows. Apparent confusion and misunderstanding manifested itself recently when the British consumer watchdog Which?​ published a report calling for better distinction between the omega-3 fatty acids on products. The University of Oxford's Dr Alex Richardson told Which?​: "The type of omega-3 found in oily fish is the best kind. There's no question that EPA and DHA are vital for our hearts, brains and immune systems. ​​"But some food labels are muddling together things that have different biological effects. Omega 3 from vegetarian sources is very different and does not have the same health benefits." ​ But not having the same health benefits does not mean lesser health benefits. However, the new review states: "It is important to remember that of the omega-3 fatty acids, ALA is the parent molecule, and greater attention should be paid to its independent physiological function."​ The omega-3 family ​ ALA is derived from plant sources such as flaxseed. EPA and DHA are derived from marine sources such as oily fish, and DHA can also be derived from microalgae. Much attention has been paid to the conversion of ALA to the longer chain EPA, with many stating that this conversion is very small. According to the review, between eight and 20 per cent of ALA is converted to EPA in humans, and between 0.5 and nine percent of ALA is converted to DHA. In addition, the gender plays an important role with women of reproductive age reportedly converting ALA to EPA at a 2.5-fold greater rate than healthy men. This conversion obviously contributes to the body's pool of EPA and DHA, which play a key role in, amongst other things, maintaining cardiovascular health. Moreover, benefits such as improved vascular tone, heart rate, blood lipid levels, inflammatory responses, blood pressure, and reduced hardening of the arteries, have also been "associated specifically with ALA consumption,"​ wrote Stark, Crawford, and Reifen. The conversion of ALA to EPA involves the delta6-desaturase enzyme to form stearidonic acid (SDA). An enzyme (malonyl co-enzyme A) then elongates the SDA from an 18-carbon chain to a 20-carbon chain, and further desaturation, this time by the delta5-desaturase enzyme, results in the production of EPA. These enzymes are also involved in the elongation of the omega-6 fatty acids found in plants, with linoleic acid converted to gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and then to arachinodonic acid (ARA). Omega-3 versus omega-6 ​ Competition for the 6-desaturase enzyme in the metabolism of both ALA and linoleic acid may have an important role to play in the inflammatory response. By increasing the intake of ALA, the 6-desaturase available will produce less ARA from linoleic acid, so the argument goes. "It is thought that a higher relative intake of omega-6 fatty acids increases production of arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), which in turn is used to produce pro-thrombotic and proinflammatory omega-6 metabolites,"​ wrote the researchers. "Metabolites of omega-3 origin are anti-inflammatory and anti-arrhythmic. A high omega-6:omega-3 ratio is thought to promote the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases,"​ they added. Recommendations ​ The review does not question the health benefits of EPA or DHA, but calls for more attention to be paid for the fatty acid. Interestingly, dietary recommendations currently exist for ALA, but not EPA or DHA. "The fact that several major scientific and medical associations have published nutritional guidelines including recommendations specifically for ALA emphasizes its perceived importance in health promotion and disease prevention,"​ wrote Stark, Crawford, and Reifen. Tomorrow, NutraIngredients will publish reaction to this review from the industry. ​​ To comment on this article, please email stephen.daniells'at'decisionnews.com Source: Nutrition Reviews​ Volume 66, Issue 6, Pages 326-332, doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2008.00040.x "Update on alpha-linolenic acid" ​Authors: A.H. Stark, M.A Crawford, R. Reifen