ID 532 -
Kwas dokozaheksaenowy, Kwas eikozapentaenowy, Kwas gamma-linolenowy
PL: Kwas dokozaheksaenowy, Kwas eikozapentaenowy, Kwas gamma-linolenowy
EN: Omega-3 (DHA, EPA) and Omega-6 fatty acids (GLA)
Pdf: DHA, EPA and GLA
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
The food constituents that are the subjects of the health claims are “omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (GLA)”, “gamma-linolenic acid + eicosapentaenoic acid (GLA+EPA)”, and “evening primrose oil and fish oil”.
Evening primrose oil and fish oil are not sufficiently defined in the information provided with respect to manufacturing process or fatty acid composition. From the references provided, the Panel assumes that the food constituents that are the subject of the health claims are the n-6 fatty acid gamma- linolenic acid (GLA) in evening primrose oil and the n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in fish oil.
The n-3 LC-PUFAs, DHA and EPA, are well recognised nutrients which are measurable in foods by established methods. They are well absorbed when consumed in the form of triglycerides.
GLA is an n-6 LC-PUFA which is present in small amounts in a variety of foods of both plant and animal origin, and which can also be synthesised in the human body from its precursor linoleic acid (LA). GLA is a well recognised nutrient and can be measured in foods by established methods.
The Panel considers that the food constituents, DHA, EPA and GLA, which are the subject of the health claims, are sufficiently characterised.
2.1. Udział w prawidłowym przebiegu funkcji poznawczych (ID 532)
The claimed effect is “brain function (adult & children)”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
In the context of the clarifications provided by Member States, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to contribution to normal cognitive function. Cognitive function includes memory,
attention (concentration), learning, intelligence and problem solving, which are well defined constructs and which can be measured by validated psychometric cognitive tests.
The Panel considers that contribution to normal cognitive function is a beneficial physiological effect.
3.1. Udział w prawidłowym przebiegu funkcji poznawczych (ID 532)
The references provided to substantiate the claim included narrative reviews on the role of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in the brain which did not provide original data for the scientific substantiation of the claim. One study investigated correlations between nutrient intake and the lipid profiles of meibomian gland secretions in women with Sjögren's syndrome. Three studies addressed the effects of food constituents other than DHA, EPA and GLA on cognitive-related outcomes (i.e. DHA and arachidonic acid, total n-3 fatty acids). One animal study investigated the effect of an n-3 fatty acid-depleted diet on the brain, retina, and liver fatty acyl composition of rats. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claim.
The Panel notes that no human studies have been provided on the effect of the consumption of a combination of DHA, EPA and GLA on cognitive endpoints.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of DHA, EPA and GLA and contribution to normal cognitive function.
Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia
100-3000mg EPA+DHA per day
