Ahiflower: An Important New Vegetarian Source of Omega-3 EFA
You hear it here first!
Well, almost first: we read it somewhere else first. There just might be an important new plant source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. The plant is known as Buglossoides arvensis, or ahiflower for short. . . .
Many plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, like flax seeds, are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is converted in the body into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). But, ahiflower is a very rich source of the little discussed omega-3 fatty acid stearidonic acid (SDA), which is one step further along in the conversion from ALA to EPA and, so, seems to convert more efficiently.
A new double-blind study gave 88 healthy people 9.7mL a day of either 100% ahiflower oil, 100% high-oleic sunflower oil, or various blends of the ahiflower and sunflower oils for 28 days. The 100% ahiflower oil group and the mixed group with the most ahiflower oil had the highest rises in EPA.
In the study, 100% ahiflower oil significantly increased EPA. Interestingly, it also significantly increased production of the anti-inflammatory IL-10 by 45% compared to the control sunflower oil group. The increase was significant even at the lowest dose of 3g a day. Low levels of IL-10 can lead to more severe symptoms of inflammatory diseases.
Ahiflower is the richest known source of SDA. It contains 45% ALA and 20% SDA.
This study may introduce an important new source of plant source omega-3 essential fatty acids.
Nutrients 2017;9(3),261
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For more on healthy eating and plant sources of omega-3 essential fatty acids, see Linda’s newest book, The All-New Vegetarian Passport: a comprehensive health book and cookbook all in one.
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