There are some oils extracted from flax or perilla seeds in the market, which can help lower cholesterol because of their high α -linolenic acid content, and are advocated by nutritionists as cooking for patients with hyperlipidemia. However, some people put this oil into capsules and put it on the market, claiming that it is "plant brain gold" and recommending it to pregnant women or infants and teenagers, saying that "these α -linolenic acids eaten in the body can be converted into DHA".

We should realize that health products such as α -linolenic acid are not DHA, and it is inappropriate for merchants to call it "plant brain gold".

DHA is commonly known as "brain gold" internationally, while linolenic acid is not called "brain gold". The so-called α linolenic acid can be converted into DHA in vivo, which is only a theoretical discussion from the biochemical point of view, and it is far from ideal from clinical observation! For example, the research by Professor Fan Wenxuan from the Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety of China Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that the lack of "carbon chain elongase" and "desaturase" in infants and young children could not help α -linolenic acid to transform into DHA in vivo. For another example, Liu Zelun of Peking University People's Hospital studied the blood fatty acids of primary school students who ate α -linolenic acid and other health products, and confirmed that the α -linolenic acid did not turn into DHA in the body. Professor Chen Dunjin of Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences also said that even with the help of carbon chain elongase and desaturase, only 3% of α -linolenic acid was converted into DHA. At the same time, the flax, the raw material of α -linolenic acid, was sprayed with pesticides to control pests such as Lepidoptera flaccidity and black cutworm. However, China does not detect pesticide residues when approving health care products, which has long proved that pesticide pollution is the main cause of fetal malformation. Therefore, it is not recommended for pregnant women or infants to eat these health care products in the "Fetal Brain Promotion" project in the cradle project before the pesticide hazard of linolenic acid health care products is ruled out. Because they can not replace the role of DHA, at the same time, there may be teratogenic problems.