A fatty acid database developed by Mann & others (2003) was used to determine the Australian intakes and food sources of long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from the 1995 National Nutrition Survey (NNS). Average daily intakes of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were 0.056, 0.026, and 0.106 g/d respectively (Meyer & others 2003). Subsequent inclusion of newly available data on meats into the fatty acid database and re-analysis of the NNS resulted in higher calculated intake of DPA (0.071 g/d) because DPA content of meats was previously underestimated (Howe & others 2006). However, fish/seafood is still the main contributor to LC n-3 PUFA intakes. The food industry also now provides foods fortified with LC n-3 PUFA. Hence the fatty acid database warrants continual updating.
History
Citation
Meyer, B. J. 2008, ''The 3 omegas - not as easy as 1, 2, 3'', Food Australia, vol. 60, no. 1, 2, pp. 41-43.