|
|
|
2007-8-30 13:59:27 |
|
People who consume high levels of alcohol need to be cautious because it might lead to the depletion of essential fatty acids (EFAs) in their body, according to a new study published in the August issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are vital components of any balanced diet. A decreased level of EFAs in the body could lead to loss of growth and development, infertility, and a host of physiological and biochemical abnormalities. Basically, essential fatty acids are not produced by the body. There are no biological pathways in the body that can lead to their production. Hence it is vital that such fatty acids be consumed in the diet. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are generally referred to as essential fatty acids. The omega-6 PUFA linoleic acid (LA is also called n-6 fats, and the omega-3 PUFA linolenic acid ( ALA) is also called n-3 fats. "Most Americans consume adequate amounts of LA in their diets through the use of vegetable oils, but tend to have low intakes of ALA," said J. Thomas Brenna, professor of human nutrition and of chemistry & chemical biology at Cornell University. Lead researcher Norman Salem, Jr., chief of the Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, said that the decrease in the intake of EFAs might be the main reason for several diseases plaguing Western society in modern times. For the current study, researchers used data from the 2001-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. They analyzed data on 4,168 adults who had reported their alcohol consumption during this survey. The researchers found that as alcohol consumption increased, there was a drop in the level of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood. "The changes we found indicate that those who drink alcohol make food selections in such a way as to decrease foods with this important nutrient," Dr Salem said. "The binge-drinking men have decreases in the longer chain n-3 fatty acids, the ones that we typically get from eating fish, and so this suggests that they eat less fish," he added. The crux of the matter, he added, was to see that people who binge drink must eat fish so as to increase their levels of these essential fatty acids. The minimum requirement for both Omega-3 and Omega-6 acid per adult per day is 1.5 grams. Consumers must take care to see that their body levels of these EFAs are replenished adequately. Fish being a major source of omega-3 fatty acids, it is recommended that fish be made a part of the regular diet. ### Copyright 2007 foodconsumer.org. All right reserved. Foodconsumer.org publishes daily news and reports on food and diet, some of which are not available from the mainstream news media. This article can be used by individuals and organizations for not-for-profit purposes without prior express permission from foodconsumer.org on condition that this article including the author and this copyright note should be used in entirety without alteration. |
