Which of the n−3 PUFA should be called essential?

Abstract

Sir:We refer to the letter published in the August 2003 issue of Lipids by Lauritzen and Hansen (1). The letter raises important issues discussed by many in this field, but we believe the scope of the letter goes beyond EFA. We can see the merits in their definition of an essential nutrient ("A food component that directly, or via conversion, serves an essential biological function and which is not produced endogenously or in large enough amounts to cover the requirements"). Lauritzen and Hansen suggest that "the essentiality of n-3 PUFA seems to be due to a specific function of 22:6n-3 in membranes and neuronal tissue" (1).We would like to raise the issue of whether 22:6n-3 is the only n-3 PUFA that has biological functions in mammals. We recognize that the literature on the role of 22:6n-3 in various neural functions is abundant (for a review, see Ref. 2) and that few studies address specific roles of the other n-3 PUFA. However, readers' attention should be drawn to several papers that show that 18:4n-3, 20:4n-3, 20:5n-3, and 22:5n-3 can influence eicosanoid synthesis (3,4), endothelial cell

Supplementation and delivery of n−3 fatty acids through spray‐dried milk reduce serum and liver lipids in rats

“…These recommendations have been summarized in detail by Roche (5), Stanley (6), and Sanderson et al (7). Recently, experts also have debated and agreed on the essentiality of n-3 PUFA in the diet (8,9). Even though India has no specific recommendations for the intake of n-3 PUFA, several studies conducted by the National Institute of Nutrition, an organization of the Indian Council of Medical Research, have suggested that an intake of 0.75 en% from α-linolenic acid (LNA) and 0.2 en% from EPA and DHA would have a positive impact on the prevention of coronary heart disease in India (3,(10)(11)(12).…”