Omega-3Words
Omega 3: The “Heart Friendly” Fat?
[also appearing on NPR's site, in light of a Nature Biotech study on genetically engineered omega-3 fatty acids]
Bacon doesn’t have a very good reputation when it comes to a healthy diet. But now, scientists are aiming to make bringing home the bacon – and some other fatty meats – a little healthier. In the current issue of the journal Nature Biotechnology, a team of scientists report they’ve genetically engineered pigs to produce higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids – a kind of fat believed to reduce the risk of heart disease.
What is omega 3 fat?
Omega-3 fatty acids are a kind of polyunsaturated fat found in certain kinds of fish and plants. Your body doesn’t make omega 3, so you have to eat it. Omega 3 comes in three forms, known as DHA, EPA, and ALA. Scientists have been most interested in the potentially beneficial effects of combinations of DHA and EPA. In general, the standard American diet is thought to contain too little omega 3 fat, relative to another type called omega 6.
Why is omega 3 believed to be “heart friendly”?
Several decades ago, researchers noticed that people living in the Arctic who had diets rich in omega 3 also had low rates of heart disease. Since then, several large studies have found more evidence of a link, according to the American Heart Association. Studies have also suggested that people at risk for coronary heart disease benefit from consuming omega-3. One prominent theory is that the fat reduces the inflammation of tissues that is linked to heart disease.
What foods contain this “good” fat?
Fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon are high omega-3s. Tofu and oils made from canola, walnut and flaxseed are also good sources. You can also buy omega 3 supplements.
It isn’t clear how much omega 3 you need to ingest to get benefits, according to the Heart Association, although it recommends eating two fatty fish meals a week. It also warns that ingesting too much of an omega 3 supplement can lead to health problems, such as excessive bleeding.
Are scientists trying to engineer other animals to produce omega 3?
Yes. In 2004, researchers at Massachusetts’s General Hospital reported engineering a worm gene that successfully produced levels of omega 3 when transferred to mice. And scientists are investigating other methods for engineering larger animals, such as cows and chickens, so they can make meat, eggs, and milk rich in omega-3.
.MGW.
[also appearing on NPR's site, in light of a Nature Biotech study on genetically engineered omega-3 fatty acids]
Bacon doesn’t have a very good reputation when it comes to a healthy diet. But now, scientists are aiming to make bringing home the bacon – and some other fatty meats – a little healthier. In the current issue of the journal Nature Biotechnology, a team of scientists report they’ve genetically engineered pigs to produce higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids – a kind of fat believed to reduce the risk of heart disease.
What is omega 3 fat?
Omega-3 fatty acids are a kind of polyunsaturated fat found in certain kinds of fish and plants. Your body doesn’t make omega 3, so you have to eat it. Omega 3 comes in three forms, known as DHA, EPA, and ALA. Scientists have been most interested in the potentially beneficial effects of combinations of DHA and EPA. In general, the standard American diet is thought to contain too little omega 3 fat, relative to another type called omega 6.
Why is omega 3 believed to be “heart friendly”?
Several decades ago, researchers noticed that people living in the Arctic who had diets rich in omega 3 also had low rates of heart disease. Since then, several large studies have found more evidence of a link, according to the American Heart Association. Studies have also suggested that people at risk for coronary heart disease benefit from consuming omega-3. One prominent theory is that the fat reduces the inflammation of tissues that is linked to heart disease.
What foods contain this “good” fat?
Fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon are high omega-3s. Tofu and oils made from canola, walnut and flaxseed are also good sources. You can also buy omega 3 supplements.
It isn’t clear how much omega 3 you need to ingest to get benefits, according to the Heart Association, although it recommends eating two fatty fish meals a week. It also warns that ingesting too much of an omega 3 supplement can lead to health problems, such as excessive bleeding.
Are scientists trying to engineer other animals to produce omega 3?
Yes. In 2004, researchers at Massachusetts’s General Hospital reported engineering a worm gene that successfully produced levels of omega 3 when transferred to mice. And scientists are investigating other methods for engineering larger animals, such as cows and chickens, so they can make meat, eggs, and milk rich in omega-3.
.MGW.
posted by Meagan G at
10:10 AM
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