Mulloway (Argyosomus japonicus)
Also known as Jewfish
Most of us have heard of the benefits of Omega – 3s. Long chain Omega - 3s have proven to lower coronary death by a third, are a successful treatment for mood disorders, are useful for combating depression and avoiding dementia or Alzheimers. Fish is far and away the easiest and best way to get regular Omega - 3s in the right form to benefit body and mind. Mulloway is high in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and therefore a great source of beneficial Omega - 3s.
What are Omega – 3s?
Omega – 3s are a type of polyunsaturated fat. The Omega – 3 (called ALA) found in plant-based foods, such as canola oil, linseed and walnuts, is short chain and needs to be converted to the long chain Omega - 3s to be used effectively in the body. Unfortunately, this conversion is very inefficient so it is desirable to include long–chain Omega - 3s in the diet. The long-chain Omega - 3s include the essential nutrients DHA, EPA and DPA.
Why are Omega – 3s Important?
- Long Chain Omega – 3s are essential nutrients required by every cell in the body.
- Omega – 3 DHA is a major building block of the cells in the brain and retina and is crucial for brain growth and eye development.
- Omega – 3 DHA is important for the signalling processes in the brain and nervous system.
- Omega – 3s DHA and EPA form hormones – like substances that help reduce inflammation, increase the flexibility of blood vessels and help blood flow.
- The long chain Omega - 3s DHA and EPA help reduce the risk of heart attack.
- Scientific research continues to identify important roles for long chain Omega - 3s including the role of DPA, another type of long chain Omega - 3.
Source: www.Omega-3centre.com
Nutrition profile of farmed vs wild Mulloway
Farmed fish have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids providing important health benefits. The below data is based on fillet without skin and an average of 3 farmed and wild specimens.
| Parameter | Farmed | Wild (line caught) |
| Energy | 574 kj | 331 kj |
| Cholesterol | 74 mg | 46 mj |
| Sodium | 25mg | 42 mg |
| Total Fat (Oil) | 7.36 g | 0.83 g |
| - Saturated Fat | 36.2% of total fat | 48.5% of total fat |
| - Mono-unsat Fat | 37.2% of total fat | 31.5% of total fat |
| - Poly-unsat Fat | 26.1% of total fat | 20.0% of total fat |
| Omega-3, EFA | 600 mg | < 100 mg |
| Omega-3, DHA | 433 mg | 100 mg |
| Omega-6, AA | < 100 mg | < 100 mg |
What Medical Journals Say:
"Modest consumption of fish (eg, 1-2 servings/wk), especially species higher in the n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), reduces risk of coronary death by 36% (95% confidence intervals, 20%-50%; P<.001) and total mortality by 17% (95% confidence interval, 0%-32%:P=.046) and may favourably affect other clinical outcomes".
Journal of American Medical Association 2006 Oct 18:296(15):1885-99
"Deficits in Omega-3 fatty acids have been identified as a contributing factor to mood disorders and offer a potential rational treatment approach. This review identifies a number of hypotheses and studies clarifying the efficacy of Omega-3 supplementation for unipolar and bipolar depressive disorders, both as individual and augmentation treatment strategies, and for studies pursuing which Omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is likely to provide the greatest benefit".
American Journal of Psychiatry. 2006 Jun;163(6):969-78
"The preponderance of epidemiologic and tissue compositional studies supports a protective effect of Omega - 3 EFA intake, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in mood disorders. Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials demonstrate a statistically significant benefit in unipolar and bipolar depression(p=.02)".
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.2006 Dec;67(12):1954-67
Source: Fish Magazine, Julian Cribb, Product Development: June 2007