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