Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid nutrition amongst Malaysians are far from desirable

This paper reviews available reports on theomega-6 (linoleic acid, LA) and omega-3 fatty acid[alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) + eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid) intakes amongstMalaysians against Malaysian Recommended NutrientIntakes (RNI), focussing particularly on pregnant andlactating women because of the availability of data forthese latter vulnerable groups. Overall, the omega-6 andomega-3 fatty acid nutrition amongst Malaysians arepoor and far from desirable. The nutritional situationregarding these long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids(LCPUFA) amongst Malaysian pregnant and lactatingwomen is alarming and warrants urgent attentionin nutrition promotion activities/counselling. Dailyconsumption of LA by these women and other Malaysiansstudied ranged from 3.69 - 5.61 % kcal with 38-60% ofindividuals not meeting their RNIs. Daily intakes ofomega-3 fatty acids faired worse, averaging 0.21- 0.33% kcal with as high as 92% of subjects in one study notmeeting their RNIs. The omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acidratios obtained in the studies reviewed are about 20:1,which is way above the World Health Organisationrecommendedratio of 5-10:1. Dietary sources of theseomega- fatty acids in the subjects studied are chicken,fish and milk. Since local foods are not particularlyrich in LCPUFA such as EPA and DHA, the optionsto improve EPA/DHA nutrition amongst Malaysians arethe greater consumption of omega-3 enriched foods andin the case of pregnant and lactating women, LCPUFAsupplementation may warrant serious consideration.