Final Exam (Omega-3 Fatty Acids) Flashcards
Alpha-Linolenic (ALA)…
18:3
Eicosapentaenoic (EPA)…
20:5
Docosahexaenoic (DHA)…
22:6
What living thing makes ALA?
Plants
*The most widely available sources of EPA and DHA are cold water fish, what are these fish?
SMASH-T Salmon Mackerel Anchovies Sardines Herring Tuna
*DHA concentrations are highest where? EPA concentrations are highest where?
- DHA - Retina/Cerebral cortex
- EPA - TRICK QUESTION, LOW EVERYWHERE
The conversion of ALA to EPA/DHA occurs where? What is unique about this conversion?
- Occurs in the SER
- The FINAL step (B-ox) occurs in the peroxisome
- Delta-5 desaturase… AKA…
* Delta-6 desaturase… AKA…
- FADS1 (Fatty acid desaturase)
- FADS2 (fatty acid desaturase)
*ALA –> D6-desaturase –> elongase –> D5 desaturase =
EPA
*EPA –> Elongase –> Elongase –> D6 desaturase –> B-oxidation =
DHA
The level of EPA/DHA in where is an indicator of Omega-3 FA intake?
RBC membrane!
*What is the rate limiting step in ALA conversion to EPA and DHA?
D6-Desaturase (very inefficient)
*Since conversion of ALA to DHA is so poor, what would one explanation for this be?
- ALA is the most rapidly oxidized unsaturated FA, a large portion of ingested ALA is then B-oxidized to Acetyl-CoA
*What will inhibit D6 and D5 desaturase and reduce EPA and DHA concentrations in the body?
- ALCOHOL
What are the two elongase enzymes that help convert EPA –> DHA?
- Elovl2
- Elovl5
*What is the most rapidly oxidized unsaturated FA, and less of this gets converted to DHA…
- ALA
Which FA competes with ALA for D6-desaturase?
Linoleic Acid
Does DHA or EPA supplementation raise EPA levels?
DHA raises EPA levels through Retro-conversion
*What confounds efforts to establish cause and effect relationships between dietary EPA and DHA?
Retro-conversion
DHA –> EPA thru Beta-ox
T/F: Increased seafood consumption outweighs the risk of mercury? (SMASHT)
TRUE
*If someone takes >3g/day of Omega-3 FA, what can result?
- Moderate GI upset
- Likely fishy aftertaste in the mouth
- Moderate level of worsening Glycemia
Is there a regional variation in mercury concentration depending where you are? Which body of water has the most ppm of mercury, and which has the least…
- YES
- Gulf of mexico (1.45ppm)
- North Atlantic (0.05ppm)
This is a neurotoxin and can impair normal neurological development in a fetus or child….
Methylmercury
What are the 3 reasons fish oil supplements do not contain as high of levels of mercury than a serving of fish?
- smaller fish -low in mercury
- mercury binds to protein (fish meat, not oil)
- mercury may be removed in the making of oil (distilled)