Fish as Source of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs), Which One is Better-Farmed or Wild?

Abstract: Consumption of fish as a source of eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) docosahexenoic acid (DHA) is recommended for preventing cardiovascular and other diseases. Since world’s fish stocks are limited, consumers are now being proposed farmed fish as an alternative. However, there is concern that is there any differences between wild-caught and farm- raised fish? Is one type is better than others? The aim of this study was to review the published information on the n-3 PUFAs, n-3/n-6 and DHA/EPA ratios of farmed and wild fishes in order to estimate whether the health benefits of the farmed and wild fish is potentially the same. Further, health benefits of n-3 fatty acids, importance of n-3/n-6 ratios, DHA/EPA ratios, factors affecting n-3 PUFAs, limitations or safety of fish as source of n-3 PUFAs, prospects of aquaculture as potential sources of n-3 PUFAs and optimal intakes of n-3 PUFAs have also been discussed. In general, the lipid content of farmed fish is higher than the wild but the proportion of n-3 PUFAs and DHA/EPA ratios in majority of wild fish are higher than their counterparts although there was a mixed trend for n-3/n-6 ratios. As the fatty acid composition of fish is largely dependent on the fatty acid composition of their feed, it can be customized by adjusting dietary intakes. Since the farmed fish generally have higher total lipid levels than the wild, 100g of farmed fish muscle can provide a similar or higher amount of n-3 PUFA than 100g wild fish. Thus, if they are raised under appropriate conditions and dietary regimes, farmed fish can provide the consumers a nutritional composition that is at least as beneficial as that provided by the wild