Dietary reference intakes for DHA and EPA

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Dietary Guidelines
• Public Health

Background:

• Global organizations recommend eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for heart health and triglyceride reduction.
• Specific recommendations exist for DHA during pregnancy, infancy, and for vegetarians/vegans.
• The Institute of Medicine has set an Adequate Intake (AI) for alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) but not for EPA and DHA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the need for establishing Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for EPA and DHA in the United States.
• To address the discrepancy between current US intake and global recommendations for long-chain omega-3 fatty acids.
• To emphasize the importance of official standards for public health policy and guidance.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing global dietary recommendations for EPA and DHA.
• Analysis of current US intake levels of EPA and DHA.
• Comparison of current US intake with established AIs and Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDRs).

Main Results:

• Current US mean intake of EPA and DHA (approx. 100mg/day) is significantly lower than many international recommendations.
• The National Academies suggest up to 10% of the ALA AMDR can be consumed as EPA/DHA, but this is not a formal DRI.
• Lack of DRIs for EPA and DHA hinders official dietary guidance and policy in the US and Canada.

Conclusions:

• There is a pressing need for the National Academies to establish DRIs for EPA and DHA.
• Establishing DRIs will provide official standards for dietary guidance and policy, promoting public health.
• Recognizing the numerous health benefits of EPA and DHA necessitates timely establishment of these crucial nutrient standards.