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Subject:
From:
Peter Brandt <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 6 Nov 1998 02:51:29 -0600
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Amadeus:
>If USDA-tested milk didn't contain it (and they probably didn't test only
vegetarian >women), then missing DHA might be a common problem - or -
it's
not really a problem as >Dr.Schmidt supposes.

On the contrary it is clear from reading his book that DHA levels of
only
2-3% in mother's milk may be dangerously low and cause irreversible
damage
to the fast-developing infant brain.  "Smart Fats" is a most read for
any
vegan/vegetarian woman or anybody interested in learning about the
crucial
role EFA's play in brain nourishment.

>Interesting numbers. British vegetarian mothers' babies seem to have about
the same DHA >(2%) as American omnivores' babies (3%).

That should give you an idea of the state of health of British
vegetarians.

>There must be a factor that is much more relevant than beeing vegetarian -
and this >factor can be found between british and american nutrition.

Not necessarily.  The low level of DHA in the milk of American
omnivorous
mothers is most likely linked to high intake of trans-fatty acids,
which
have been shown to interfere with the uptake of DHA.  As for the
British
vegetarian mothers it seems quite clear that the problem is their DHA
deficient diet.

>I know a lot of vegetarians and few of them like flax oil - because of its
taste.
>Most eat much of dairy and dairy fats. Many misuse fats like sunflower oil
for cooking.
>If someone buys a small flax oil bottle he or she feels fine about beeing
so >health-conscious, but compared to the all-over fat intake its
peanuts.

They obviously have not read "Smart Fats". ;-)

>Same thing like hardly anyone here seems to like brain, isn't it?

Not quite, omnivores can get adequate amounts of DHA without having to
eat
brains.

Best, Peter

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