At 07:51 AM 4/3/01 -0400, Todd Moody wrote:
>On Mon, 2 Apr 2001, Dianne Heins wrote:
>
>> I've been trying to read up on this stuff, and I think I've got a small
>> clue, now...  putting it extremely simplistically, is the following
>> basically correct?
>>
>> ALA usually ends up as E2 "not really good for Dianne" prostaglandins
>> GLA usually ends up as E1 "much better for Dianne" prostaglandins
>> omega-3, fish oil style, aids the production of these
>
>Not quite right.  ALA ends up as EPA/DHA, which are essential.
>That is, ALA is the "source" omega-3 fat, the precursor of EPA
>and DHA.  It also has the effect of slowing down E2 production.
>When you eat fish oils, you're getting pre-converted ALA.  If you
>eat ALA, the conversion happens in your body.

Hm, I got that "avoid ALA" bit from the first protein power book (pg 343 in
the pocket book version)--they talk about it "slowing down the gatekeeper"
and poo-poo flaxseed oil because it's got so much.  Most of the rest of the
stuff I've read, so far, is the "all praise to ALA" type of thing and
repeated references to the same study :)

>You are correct about GLA, although GLA is itself an omega-6 fat.
>Note that both E1 and E2 are made from omega-6 fat.  The "source"
>fat is LA.

Sorry, yes, I did get some of this...  however, one thing I've found a bit
confusing is that some articles appeared to equate ALA and LA...  It was at
this point I thought to run it by you folks, knowing some have been
following this for years!

>> Meaning I should minimize as much as possible, dietary sources of ALA,
>> include some of GLA, and definitely not only get my fish oil and fish, but
>> probably work to get better omega-6/omega-3 ratios?
>
>Although some argue that very large amounts of ALA can interfere
>with the production of E1 (by inhibiting conversion of LA), it's
>not a problem in the amounts that you are likely to use.  So
>don't avoid ALA.  Dietary sources of GLA are extremely scarce;
>most of it is made in your body.  Supplements (evening primrose
>oil) are available, of course.

Well, I have flax seed I'd seen as something good to add...  but then was
doubting this!  And yes, I have GLA in supplement form.

>> Also, I've noticed most "good" sources for monosaturated fats (olive oil,
>> walnuts) are high in omega-6...  does this pose a problem in the over all
>> equation (as in do I need to try to balance out them as well?)
>
>Well, walnut oil has  about a 5:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3
>fats, which should be fine.  My impression is that the research
>is inconclusive as to whether it's the ratios that matter or
>whether you just need to make sure to get enough omega-3, in
>absolute terms.

walnuts are roughly 5:1, walnut oil, in one source showed 5:1 and in
another nearly 30:1, making me wonder if it was the mono-saturated bit that
was more important.  I suspect then, that the second source was incorrect.
Of course, that doesn't "excuse" olive oil :)

>It's interesting that a recent study in the British Medical
>Journal showed monounsaturated fat causing an increase in Lp(a),
>which is considered an independent risk factor for heart disease.
>I know that Mary Enig also thinks the "politically correct"
>monounsaturated fats have been overrated.

Oh great! :)

Thanks for the feedback!

And Siobhan, I'm trying for a 4:1 - 6:3 ratio, or better, as I'd read that,
a number of places, as well.  Thanks for the article, I'll be pulling that
up shortly--it's not one I'd hit on yet.

Dianne