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Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs) are important components in healthy diets. Adequate intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) maintains proper neurodevelopment and reduces the risk of heart disease. Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are found primarily in fish, seafood, eggs, supplements, and fortified foods. The cost of food is a major influence on food choices. This study sought to determine the cost of 500 mg of EPA + DHA (the recommended intake) in seafood, food and supplements in order to identify the most economical sources. Stores from five retail grocery chains in Honolulu, Hawaii were visited in June and July 2010 to collect data on the price of foods and supplements containing significant amounts of EPA or DHA. The analysis used information from a nutrient database comprising fourteen food composition databases detailing the omega-3 content of a wide variety of fish and seafood products. While fish oil supplements provided 500 mg of EPA + DHA at the lowest cost, relatively low-cost sources of EPA and DHA were available in fish with a variety of consumption characteristics, such as salmon and pelagic marine fishes. The most expensive sources of 500 mg of EPA +DHA were demersal marine fishes, milk and soy milk, and seaweeds. Strategies to increase intake of EPA and DHA include educating consumers on health benefits and sources, encouraging the consumption of seafood, improving the fatty acid profile of farmed seafood, and increasing the number of foods with EPA and DHA fortification.

Introduction Fish and omega-3 fatty acids are reported to be beneficial in pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but no studies have assessed their relation to histological severity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the dietary intake of fish and omega-3 fatty acids in children with biopsy-proven NAFLD, and examine their association with serological and histological indicators of disease. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional analysis of 223 children (6–18 years) that participated in the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children trial or the NAFLD Database study conducted by the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network. The distribution of fish and omega-3 fatty acid intake were determined from responses to the Block Brief 2000 Food Frequency Questionnaire, and analyzed for associations with serum alanine aminotransferase, histological features of fatty liver disease, and diagnosis of steatohepatitis after adjusting for demographic, anthropometric and dietary variables. Results The minority of subjects consumed the recommended eight ounces of fish per week (22/223 (10%)) and 200 mg of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids per day (12/223 (5%)). Lack of fish and long-chain omega-3 fatty acid intake was associated with greater portal (p=0.03 and p=0.10, respectively) and lobular inflammation (p=0.09 and p=0.004, respectively) after controlling for potential confounders. Discussion Fish and omega-3 fatty acid intake were insufficient in children with NAFLD, which may increase susceptibility to hepatic inflammation. Patients with pediatric NAFLD should be encouraged to consume the recommended amount of fish per week.

Research indicates that the ability to perform a task can be affected by the composition of the meal preceding the task. This study investigated the effect of shift workers' consumption of a medium-fat, medium-carbohydrate meal on alertness scores. Six subjects (four men, two women) aged 19 to 44 recorded food intake, sleep, and quality of sleep for two weeks, and measured their body temperature and performed cognitive tests during two night shifts at baseline and in test periods. The Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) was used to quantify sleepiness, and a Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) was used to measure cognitive performance. In comparison with the score at baseline, when subjects had a low-fat, high-carbohydrate dietary intake (1,335 kcal/5,588 kJ, 56% carbohydrate, 28% fat), the 1.6-second PASAT score improved significantly (p=0.042) during night shifts when subjects consumed a test meal (987 kcal/4,131 kJ, 46% carbohydrate, 42% fat). No statistically significant difference in SSS was found between baseline and test periods. The reduced body temperature between 2400 hours and 0530 hours was similar for both baseline and test periods. Meal composition and size during night shifts may affect cognitive performance.

The use of fish oil–based lipid emulsions (FOLE) in the treatment of intestinal failure–associated liver disease (IFALD) remains investigational. Additional evidence for safety and efficacy, particularly in the neonatal and pediatric populations, is needed. Retrospective chart review was conducted on 10 infants with short bowel syndrome who received FOLE for IFALD. Direct bilirubin concentrations normalized in surviving subjects within 4.1 to 22.7 weeks of starting treatment. Although earlier initiation of FOLE was not associated with more rapid normalization of direct bilirubin concentrations, it trended toward a significant correlation with reduced length of hospital stay (P = .058). The reduction in direct bilirubin levels and transition from parenteral to enteral feeding were statistically significant within 6 weeks of initiating the FOLE. Subjects did not have impaired growth and did not develop an essential fatty acid deficiency. These infants were discharged from the hospital 7.9 to 42.3 weeks after starting FOLE treatment, and 2 infants had transitioned completely off parenteral nutrition at discharge. In this study, FOLE appeared to be a safe and effective treatment for IFALD in infants with short bowel syndrome. Future studies are necessary to determine whether FOLE can help to prevent or shorten the duration of cholestasis.