Something Smells Fishy

Some people like the taste of fish, and some don't. However, as found in this article, and as discussed this past week at the 2011 Experimental Biology meeting, a popular and highly nutritional stearidonic acid that was typically found only in fish is going to be available in a different form in hopes of increased consumption among our population. Stearidonic acid is a vital omega-3 acid that provides many benefits for the heart, along with a decrease in major depression symptoms as well as proper enzyme functioning. In fact, it is even recommended that American's find a way to eat two meals of seafood a week- and this reasoning stems mainly from various health organizations' desire for humans to intake an increased amount of two of the long-chain omega-3's :eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Another way to think about the amount of seafood that we are due to be eating is the normal person should consume 8 ounces per week of either fish or shellfish, and pregnant women are advised to eat up to 12 ounces.

As probably obvious, we are not even close to meeting these guidelines, with most Americans falling a stunning 75% short of the goal. Also, there are other things to be considered with this change in diet demands. Toxic levels of methyl mercury can be present in these nutritional sources as well, so this source of vital omega-3's is important, but not necessarily the panacea that we are seeking to fix the deficiency of these nutrients.

It has been recommended in the past that these essential fish oils be used in cooking, especially at restaurants, much like the addition of iodine to our salt sources. However, along with this idea there is also the consideration of the possibly fishy taste that this might add to the dishes, making many unwilling to consider this idea.

However, the good news as discussed at the Experimental Biology conference discussed earlier is that commercially derived searidonic acid (SDA) will soon be available to fill these gaps in usefulness and delivery of the nutrients. This new altervative calls for the genetical manipulation of soy, as presented by the commericial agriculture company of Monsanto. This company also petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at this time to have their SDA-enriched soy oil granted the status of "generally recognized as safe". This company wants to bring this oil into baking mixes, meat products, milk products and various others. Now, this newly engineered oil is not a replacement of all the vital nutrients that are present in fish oils, but it is simply an answer to try and fill the hole of this major nutritional deficiency within our population. The company recently received the desired status from the FDA and products with this fortification are expected to be seen around 2012.