We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Optimal omegas – barriers and novel methods to narrow omega-3 gaps. A narrative review
Summary
This review examines why most people worldwide do not consume enough omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for heart and brain health. Researchers identified barriers including limited access to oily fish, concerns about environmental contaminants like microplastics in seafood, and sustainability issues with fishing. The study highlights emerging alternatives such as algae-based supplements and bioengineered plant oils as promising ways to close the global omega-3 gap.
Dietary intakes of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (O3LC-PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid are central to development and health across the life course. O3LC-PUFAs have been linked to neurological development, maternal and child health and the etiology of certain non-communicable diseases including age-related cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. However, dietary inadequacies exist in the United Kingdom and on a wider global scale. One predominant dietary source of O3LC-PUFAs is fish and fish oils. However, growing concerns about overfishing, oceanic contaminants such as dioxins and microplastics and the trend towards plant-based diets appear to be acting as cumulative barriers to O3LC-PUFAs from these food sources. Microalgae are an alternative provider of O3LC-PUFA-rich oils. The delivery of these into food systems is gaining interest. The present narrative review aims to discuss the present barriers to obtaining suitable levels of O3LC-PUFAs for health and wellbeing. It then discusses potential ways forward focusing on innovative delivery methods to utilize O3LC-PUFA-rich oils including the use of fortification strategies, bioengineered plants, microencapsulation, and microalgae.