[...]The principal finding of this study is that dietary SDA was
metabolized to EPA in humans. The relative effectiveness of each of the fatty acid supplements in increasing EPA concentrations in
plasma or erythrocyte phospholipids was EPA > SDA > ALA.[...]
[...]Dietary SDA and EPA were qualitatively similar with respect to
their ability to increase tissue EPA and DPA, but they did not
increase DHA. Whereas SDA is metabolized to EPA and DPA by
the actions of elongase and d5-desaturase, further metabolism to
DHA depends on d6-desaturase activity followed by -oxidation
(10).[...]
[...]Thus, SDA-rich oils have the potential to provide a useful landbased
dietary resource for increasing tissue concentrations of longchain
nw3 fatty acids in humans. If used in the food industry, these
oils can provide a wide range of dietary alternatives to fish and
encapsulated fish oil supplements. [...]