The effects of DHA-enriched foods and commercially available marine products on improving the dietary fatty acid balance were investigated by evaluating the change in n-6/n-3 ratio by adding these samples to model menus. The dietary n-6/n-3 ratio of each model menu was high.
The fatty acid composition of 15 samples of DHA-enriched foods and of 19 commercially available marine products was measured. All samples were rich in C 16 : 0, C 18 : 0, C 18 : 1 and C 18 : 2. The DHA (C 22 : 6) content of each sample labeled as DHA enriched on the package varied from non-detectable to 8.4% of total fatty acids, while that of soft drinks and confectionery was small, although being labeled as DHA enriched.
The dietary n-6/n-3 ratio of the model menus was adjusted to an appropriate level by the addition of appropriate samples containing more than 1 g/100 g of n-3 PUFA.