• Heart disease
• Arthritis
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Some cancers

It can also promote healthy brain and eye development in infants

Researchers from institutions across the globe have collaborated their findings and have been successfully producing genetically engineered linseed plants. Through this engineering, very long chain PUFA in seeds are accumulated at considerable levels.

Typically, oilseed crops such as canola, safflower and linseed accumulate a significant amount of C18 PUFA in their seed. However, in order for humans to benefit from these "essential" fatty acids, they must be obtained through dietary sources because the body cannot produce them on its own. Also, the health benefit process is a slow one, as these "essential" fatty acids take a long time to metabolize into a very long chain PUFA in the human body.

That is why fish oils are the easiest and smartest routes to getting the most health benefits from fatty acids. Consuming fish oils is comparable to directly consuming C20 and C22 PUFA, with much faster health results.

With a growing concern of consuming too much contaminated fish, as well as the depletion of fish stocks, the engineering of the very long chain PUFA in oil seed crops is welcome and long overdue. Such discoveries could benefit both human health and the environment.

Further, researchers may also be on their way to producing a high quality animal feed that could boost the content of PUFA in products such as meat, eggs, and dairy foods.

Examples of the Four Types of Fatty Acids:

• Saturated: Animal fats such as those found in meat, poultry and dairy products
• Unsaturated: Most vegetable products and oil
• Mono-unsaturated: Vegetable oils such as olive oil, peanut oil and canola oil
• Poly-unsaturated: Vegetable oils such as corn oil, safflower, soybean oil and fish oils
  

Science Daily September 20, 2004

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Many people believe that they can obtain omega-3 fats by taking flaxseed oil and currently that just is not true. Flax is loaded with ALA, which is very slowly converted to the useful fatty acids, EPA and DHA, that provide nearly all of the benefits you read about for omega-3 fats. Earlier this year I was not surprised to learn that, flaxseed oil increases prostate cancer, which is in direct contrast to fish oil that decreases it. Fish oil is well documented to decrease inflammation relative to flaxseed oil. That said, I don't believe flax should be avoided completely. I think it is a great alternative to psyllium and is great for constipation if one uses organic flaxseeds and grinds 2-6 tablespoons fresh in a coffee grinder it frequently helps resolve it. We do need some ALA and flax is a wonderful source. The problem results when people, usually vegetarians, use flax as the sole supply of omega-3 fats. That simply won't work. Most genetic engineering is being done for self-serving purposes , like producing vaccines or pesticides inexpensively, and not human health. And, if you're wondering if I've changed my mind opinion about genetic engineering -- I am generally opposed to it -- this seems to be one of those rare exceptions I'm not. When one is turning on enzymes already present to produce one of the very building blocks of life, EPA and DHA, we are in a completely different and far safer realm. Related Articles: Heart Disease Linked to Mercury-Contaminated Fish Danger -- Higher Mercury Levels in Fish Are Slowly Killing You Why You Should Stop Eating Fish I Now Advise Against Costco Fish Oil Capsules, Urge Caution with Other Brands Flax and Fatty Acid Update