According a terrible article by Ann Coogan – where Prof Holford of Teesside University describes “5 steps to perfect health” – Holford eats oily fish three times per day, and seeds, but still feels the need to take omega 3 and 6 supplements. All I can say is – why? That type of diet will provide plenty of omega 3 and 6 fats, without the need to resort to pills… But, still, Holford says he takes supplements.
Obviously, 3 portions of fish per day would provide a more than ample quantity of omega 3. The Biocare ‘essential’ omega supplements that have Holford’s face on the pill bottle – which the Health Products for Life web-store states that Holford takes himself – contain 1.514g of omega 3 in the suggested daily dose. This would not be significant for someone eating 3 portions of oily fish each day (it’s about the same as you get in a small tin of pilchards…)
Anyway, there’s lots of other problematic stuff in the article. Happily, they accept comments. Anyone want to let them know your opinion of this high quality journalism? Feel free to post your comments here as well, in case the Irish Inde doesn’t approve them etc…
My 2p worth:
I am slightly concerned by this revelation, as fish oils may increase bleeding time (http://www.circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/94/9/2337) and 21 portions per week of oily fish, supplemented with fatty acid pills and Omega 3-rich pumpkin and flax seeds, seems like an awful lot to me. For instance, the FSA only recommends that “we should be eating at least two portions of fish a week including one of oily fish” – a far cry from the 21 portions (plus supplements) that Mr Holford is recommending. The FSA also give ‘maximum’ levels for oily fish consumption. Perhaps Mr Holford meant to say ’3 portions of oily fish per week’? http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/nutritionessentials/fishandshellfish/
I would have added this if there weren’t a 1000-character limit:
Other pertinent questions include whether fish oil / Omega-3 fatty acid supplements are really necessary for someone eating the recommended 2-4 portions a week of oily fish, and whether taking supplements is as beneficial as actually eating fish.
Thanks JDC. Will be interesting to see what – if any – comments they put up…
Of course he meant to say 3 times a week. You have written all that when this is plain simple
I struggle to work out why Holford says what he does. If Holford meant to say 3 times/week, I would hope he will be contacting the Inde with a correction (after all, bad advice can spread much too easily nowadays); he’s also, of course, welcome to post here to clarify what he really meant.
That said, if someone eats three portions of oily fish/week, as well as flax, I still wouldn’t see any need for supplement pills in the great majority of cases.
“bad advice can spread much too easily nowadays”
Heh. A lie can be halfway round the world before the truth has laced its boots.
Incidentally Sara, what do you think of Patrick’s advice on fish oil pills (re NICE guidelines)?
http://holfordwatch.info/2007/11/21/nice-recommendations-for-fish-oil-after-a-heart-attack/
If all this advice is ‘plain simple’, then presumably it won’t take Patrick long to clarify to the Irish Indy?
I dont agree with Holford that we should all be taking fish oils. For one i am concerned with fish stocks and no doubt supplement companies dont give a shit about this.
I have used fish oils in practice for certain people who are chronicaly low in omega 3 fatty acid derivatives in cell membranes. This works very well and a test on cell membranes 3 months later shows great results. But i use only for correcting.
Many people i see who i give lipid profiles to are low in omega 6 and satuarted fat, especially vegans. Lipid profile are important before dishing out high EPA supplements.
What i also find alot is that giving flax seed oil does not always lead to higher levels of DHA etc.
On many occasion, i have added 20mg zinc and seen the levels rise. (Zinc needed for the conversion of alpha linolenic acid to SDA etc)
If this dosnt work fish oils always do!
I think oily fish 3 times a week and crushed flax seed evryday is probably enough for most yes.
Although i think there is a bit of trouble with conversion. Saturated fats and trans fats are playing a part in hogging enzyme activity etc.
I think upping the amounts omega 3 and 6 can only bring benefit. Especially if it encourages eating less carbs. I have found that many poeple feel much healthier and less fatigued getting there energy from fatty acids and not glucose.
If trans and/or saturated fatty acids are ‘hogging the enzyme activity’, then surely giving extra Omega 6 will have a similar effect. IIRC, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids do ‘compete for’ some of the same desaturation and elongation enzymes and I think I am correct in saying that (in general) the UK population tends to have a diet relatively rich in Omega 6. I think that to assume that “upping the amounts omega 3 and 6 can only bring benefit” is a mistake. In order to make an assertion of that nature and to advise customers (on the basis of such an assertion) to increase Omega 6 fatty acids I think that you should have evidence that your hunch is correct.
I also wonder how you define ‘chronically low’ in relation to Omega 3 Fatty Acid derivatives, which derivatives you are referring to and what cell membrane tests were performed after three months of treatment.
“If this dosnt work fish oils always do!”
Hmm, another assertion – is this assertion backed up by data or anecdote?
Actually, perhaps I’m being harsh. If you are basing your work on peer-reviewed studies and your nutritional advice is firmly based on evidence, perhaps you would like to send me more information. You can email bad.scientist@yahoo.com if you wish to do so.
I’d be genuinely interested in hearing more but I don’t really want to be a blog hog and fill holfordwatch with my inane questions, so perhaps direct communication via email would be better?
Yes the general popualtion is low in omega 6. Although i do seem to attract people who have some interest in nutrition so many have gone the oppisite way and are low in omega 6.
I am testing red blood cell membranes for fatty acid ratios and fish oils really seem to do the job at correcting imbalance. This is backed up by data, and really works in practice.
I never advise anyone to supplement any fats without taking a lipid profile first. But I would advice anyone to replace omega 6 trans fatty acid with cis omega 6.
I have noticed that it is differcult to tell what someone is low in until i give a lipid profile as symptoms from O3 and O6 seem to similar in many cases.
yes i will email you when i have more time next week.