A statement was published in the February 2009 issue of the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL) journal that concerns the extent to which Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA), found in green leafy vegetables, flaxseed, rapeseed, and walnuts, can be converted to longer chain polyunsaturates i.e. EPA and ultimately to DHA, the form our pets need. The study states:”with no other changes in diet, improvement of blood DHA status can be achieved with dietary supplements of preformed DHA, but not with supplementation of ALA, EPA, or other precursors.” The ISSFAL statement then focused on DHA, noting that the body produces very little of its own DHA and is reliant on inputs from certain oily fish, DHA-fortified foods and dietary supplements. (21)