Good oils now in health guidelines

The health benefits associated with consuming Omega-3 oils have been highlighted in a new Federal Government guide to the nutritional values of foods.

Nutritional authorities suggest a dietary target of at least 430 mg for women and 610 mg for men of long-chain Omega-3, including EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosa-hexaenoic acid), to reduce the risk of chronic disease. Dietary surveys show that most Australians consume a fraction of this amount.

The health benefits of Omega-3 oils have been known for many years.

"It is 30 years since the original observation that diets high in long-chain Omega-3 oils may be associated with cardiovascular health benefits," Dr Mahinda Abeywardena, principal scientist with the Food Futures Flagship said.

"In addition to a wealth of supporting evidence for this claim, current knowledge also assigns several other benefits of Omega-3 oils including foetal and early childhood growth and development, anti-inflammatory as well as possible benefits on neuropsychiatric disorders " cognition, Alzheimer's disease, mood and depression."

Making these valuable oils more readily available to the community is a major research project for the Flagship. In a world first, the Flagship recently developed land-based plants that produce DHA " a healthy Omega-3 oil component normally only available from fish sources.

"The Food Futures Flagship is committed on a number of research fronts to developing new and sustainable sources of Omega-3 oils," Dr Bruce Lee, Director of Food Futures Flagship says.

"Showing that plants can produce DHA in their seeds is a major scientific accomplishment. It is an important first step towards improving human nutrition and reducing pressure on declining fish resources worldwide."