Tungsten, since I know you’ll appreciate this more than most, I’ll share what I learned on my conference call with Udo Erasmus today.
I specifically asked him about fish oil, about molecular distillation and about people’s ability to convert ALA (Omega 3s) to DHA and EPA.
I already knew that if everything is optimal 25 to 33% of ALA is converted to DHA & EPA. That’s why we supplement with fish oil, just in case there are defects in fatty acid metabolism (specifically in different enzymatic steps).
Udo said that defects in fatty acid metabolism are due to DIET, not genetics!
Things that enhance the conversion of ALA to DHA & EPA.
- A high Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio
- Phytosterols
- GLA
- Phytoestrogens
All of the above are included in Udo’s Choice. In addition a high ratio of protein to carbohydrate intake is supportive of DHA & EPA synthesis, along with a few vitamin and mineral cofactors.
Udo’s advice was to make sure the above EFA requirements were met (1 tablespoon per 25 kg or 50 pounds) and from there to assess. In some case the therapeutic goal might be improvement of ADD/ADHD or inflammation, cardiovascular risk factors or even energy levels, endurance, recovery as it relates to athletic performance. If the therapeutic or performance goals haven’t been fully met, from there, he recommends adding/using a small amount of fish oil and reassessing again.
It seems that at about 5g (don’t know whether this is EPA & DHA combined or 5g of fish oil), fish oil has a PRO-inflammatory response in people who are under high levels of oxidative stress. Between you and me, I’m thinking athletes and marathon runners.
Udo does not currently recommend fish oil supplementation because fish oil is bleached and deodorized and molecularly distilled (taken to VERY high temperatures for short periods of time). It seems that EPA & DHA are even more fragile and delicate than Omega 3s.
Udo told me he’s been doing research on fish oil and hopes to find a brand that is processed in such a way that he can recommend it. I asked him time frame, and he told me he should know in the next six months and would report his findings on his web site.
My plan, based on what I learned on the conference call is to switch back to Udo’s Choice, taking 1 tablespoon per 25Kg (55 pounds, to be precise) and reducing my fish oil to 1 tablespoon pre day (4g of EPA & DHA) until I use up what I have left.
Advocate of fish oil supplementation that I’ve been, I’m going to hold off and wait to see what he recommends.