Maternal diet and exercise: effects on long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations in breast milk

BACKGROUND: Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) are essential for infant growth and development. The amount of long-chain PUFA in breast milk depends on maternal diet and body stores. Because exercise increases mobilization and utilization of fatty acids, maternal activity may also influence the amount of LC-PUFA in breast milk. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of exercise on alpha-linolenic acid (LNA), linoleic acid (LA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and arachidonic acid (AA) concentrations in maternal plasma and breast milk and to determine if lactating women consume adequate amounts of LC-PUFA to compensate for those used for energy during exercise. DESIGN: LC-PUFA in plasma and breast milk were measured at 12 weeks postpartum in exercising and sedentary women. Dietary intake was recorded for 3 days. A subsample of women participated in exercise and rest sessions to examine the acute effects of exercise on breast milk LC-PUFA. RESULTS: There were no differences in dietary intake between the two groups. Mean intake (+/-standard error of the mean) of LA was 11.05+/-1.39 and 9.34+/-0.97 and LNA was 0.96+/-0.12 and 0.82+/-0.09 g/day by the sedentary and exercise groups, respectively. These amounts are close to the Adequate Intakes of LA and LNA for lactation (13 and 1.3 g/day, respectively). No differences were found in LC-PUFA in plasma and breast milk between groups. After 30 minutes of exercise, there was a trend for an increase in LA and LNA concentrations in breast milk, with no change in DHA, EPA, and AA concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that women consuming adequate amounts of LC-PUFA can exercise moderately without decreasing the LC-PUFA in their breast milk.     

Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) changes in serum and liver of undernourished rats given dietary vitamin B6 supplementation

The influence of vitamin B6 on linoleic (LA), alpha-linolenic (ALA), arachidonic (AA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid content in serum and liver of rats fed with protein-energy deficient diets for 90 d, was studied. To estimate the effect of dietary supplementation with vitamin B6 on the composition and level of fatty acids in the serum and liver of rats, two experiments were performed. In these experiments control rats were fed ad libitum semisynthetic isocaloric diets of 1,466.5 kJ/100 g (350 kcal/100 g) throughout 90 d while the examined rats were offered 50% and 30% of the previously determined daily intake of the diet consumed in the control group. The experimental diet was supplemented with vitamin B6 to the level 4-times higher than in the control diet. A reduction to the half consumption of a standard diet supplemented with vitamin B6 caused a significant decrease of LA and ALA in blood serum at 30 and 60 d. At 90 d of the experiment the value of LA was lower and the content of AA was higher in comparison to the control group. After 30 d of consumption of vitamin B6 enriched diet in rats subjected to feed restriction to only 30% of the control intake, an increase of ALA and a decrease of AA, EPA and DHA were noticed in serum. At 60 d an increase of DHA was observed. Ninety days of feeding this diet caused a significant increase of AA level. Feeding animals for 90 d with a vitamin B6 enriched diet, with limited consumption to 50%, caused a significant increase of ALA content in liver. Further limitation of this diet consumption to 30%, caused a significant decrease of LA and ALA and an increase of EPA content.     

Polyunsaturated fatty acids and anthropometric indices of children in rural China

OBJECTIVE: To define fatty acid and macronutrient intakes in a rural Chinese preschool population, and relate these intakes to anthropometric indices. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of anthropometry and diet (three 24-h recalls). National Centers for Health Statistics/World Health Organization growth reference charts were used to determine the prevalence of malnutrition (z-scores less than -2 standard deviation (s.d.) below the mean): height-for-age (stunted), weight-for-age (underweight), weight-for-height (wasted) and mid-upper-arm-circumference-for-age (low fat/muscle). SUBJECTS AND SETTING: A total of 196 children aged 1-5 years old were volunteered by their families to participate in the survey, located in Heqing County, Yunnan Province, China. RESULTS: The respective prevalence of stunting, underweight, wasting and low fat/muscle was: 38, 21, 2 and 8%. Daily intakes of linoleic acid (LA; 18:2n-6), alpha-linolenic acid (LNA; 18:3n-3), arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4n-6) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), averaged for all children, were 2 100+/-1200, 300+/-250, 55+/-35 and 30+/-140 mg/day, respectively. As percent of total fat intake, LA contributed 11.9%, LNA 1.8%, AA 0.3% and DHA 0.2%. Height-for-age and weight-for-age z-scores were negatively correlated with g/kg/day intake of LA and AA (P<0.05). Weight-for-height z-score was negatively correlated with AA g/kg/day intake (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study provided polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) intakes in rural preschool children in a developing country. The associations of PUFA intake with early childhood growth suggest that growth in preschool-aged children could be significantly and specifically related to n-6 fatty acid intakes.     

n-6 and n-3 PUFA intakes of pre-school children in Flanders, Belgium

In this study, the intake of n-6 and n-3 PUFA of pre-school children in Flanders, Belgium, was evaluated, and recommendations to address the very low intake of long-chain PUFA are presented. Food consumption data (based on parentally reported 3 d dietary records obtained from October 2002 to February 2003) of 661 children (338 boys, 323 girls) between 2.5 and 6.5 years of age and the PUFA concentrations obtained from various food composition databases were used. The actual PUFA intake levels were compared to Belgian, European and American recommendations. Only the intake of linoleic acid (LA) fell within the recommended ranges. Margarine, bread, biscuits and chocolate products contributed most to LA intake. The intake of alpha-linolenic acid (LNA) was low compared to the recommendations and was obtained mostly from the consumption of margarines and fatty sauces. This resulted in a high LA/LNA ratio. The intake of all long-chain PUFA was far below the recommended levels. Meat and meat products were the most important sources of arachidonic acid. Consumption of fish and other seafood was very low, though these were the most important sources of long-chain n-3 PUFA. In conclusion, Flemish pre-school children should consume more n-3-rich products in order to increase their LNA intake and decrease their LA/LNA ratio. Furthermore, the replacement of meat products rich in SFA by poultry would increase the arachidonic acid intake. As well, fatty fish consumption needs to be increased, as it is a rich source of long-chain n-3 PUFA.     

Omega-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Intake in Children: The Role of Family-Related Social Determinants

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids play a central role in neuronal growth and in the development of the human brain, since they are essential elements which depend on intake through diet to ensure an adequate amount. Fish and seafood are the main dietary sources of these fatty acids in Spain and in other countries. In order to assess the effect of the intake of common foods containing high amounts of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, a food frequency questionnaire was administered to parents of children and adolescents attending a primary school in Valencia (Spain), and the intake of dietary omega-3 such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was estimated based on their fish/seafood consumption. Low frequencies of intake were significantly (p < 0.05) lower for many types of fish/seafood in children compared to adolescents. 27.5% of children/adolescents did not eat lean fish or other types (19.8% of the sample did not eat fatty fish, and 71.8% did not eat smoked fish) and 20–60% of the sample consumed seafood only once–three times a month, leading to a reduced estimated intake of EPA+DHA below that recommended for both groups by public health agencies. Social aspects, such as the type of work done by mothers and their educational levels are significant factors (p < 0.05 in both cases) affecting children’s/adolescents’ intake of DHA+EPA. Dietary interventions to increase the consumption of fish and seafood are strongly advised, and health promotion strategies should be aimed at the family level and fight against gender disparities.     

Maternal Factors Associated with Levels of Fatty Acids,Specifically n-3 PUFA during Pregnancy: ECLIPSES Study

An optimal fatty acid (FA) profile during pregnancy, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), is essential for the health of the mother and child. Our aim was to identify the socioeconomic and maternal lifestyle factors associated with serum FA concentration in pregnant women. A longitudinal study was conducted on 479 pregnant women, who were assessed during the first (T1) and third (T3) trimesters of pregnancy. Data on maternal characteristics, food consumption, and lifestyle were collected. Serum FA concentrations were analysed by a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry combination. The multiple linear regression showed that high educational level and older age were significantly associated with higher EPA and DHA concentrations and lower values of n-6/n-3 and arachidonic acid (AA)/EPA in T1 and/or T3. Regarding diet—fish and seafood consumption increased EPA concentration and reduced n-6/n-3 and AA/EPA values in both trimesters, whereas its consumption increased DHA concentration only in T1. Smoking was associated with lower DHA concentration in T1 and higher values of n-6/n-3 ratio in both trimester. Overweight and obesity were associated with higher values of n-6/n-3 ratio and AA/EPA ratio in T1. A statistically non-significant association was observed with saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). In conclusion, high educational levels, older age, fish, seafood consumption, and/or non-smoking, are factors that influence better omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) profile in both trimesters of pregnancy. Further research is needed to go in-depth into these findings and their health consequences.     

不同水产品消费地区孕妇脂肪酸摄入量调查

目的分析我国不同水产品消费地区孕妇脂肪酸摄入状况。方法应用食物频率法分别在淡水产品消费量较高的江苏省句容市、海产品消费量较高的山东省即墨市以及水产品消费量很低的河南省辉县市,对180名22~35岁孕妇进行妊娠中、晚期膳食调查,分析脂肪酸摄入状况。结果句容、即墨、辉县孕妇膳食中饱和脂肪酸(SFA),单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA),多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)的比例分别为1:2.50:1.05、1:1.44:1.31、1:1.48:1.24。n-6PUFA/n-3PUFA分别为5.51、17.62、13.85。辉县孕妇膳食中SFA和n-6PUFA摄入量最高;句容孕妇膳食中MUFA和n-3PUFA摄入量最高;即墨孕妇膳食中二十碳五烯酸(EPA,20:5n-3)和二十二碳六烯酸(DHA,22:6n-3)摄入量最高。句容和辉县孕妇膳食中的花生四烯酸(AA,20:4n-6)摄入量均高于即墨。三地孕妇膳食中EPA和DHA均主要来自水产品;AA主要来自畜禽肉类和蛋类;亚麻酸(ALA,18:3n-3)和亚油酸(LA,18:2n-6)主要来自食用油、畜禽肉类、坚果和主食及糕点类。结论三地区SFA、MUFA、PUFA的摄入比例合理。即墨、辉县孕妇膳食中n-6/n-3PUFA比例偏高;即墨市孕妇膳食中DHA和EPA摄入量高于其它两地,但仍明显低于推荐量。建议增加孕妇膳食n-3PUFA,特别是DHA和EPA的摄入量。     

Intake frequency of fish and serum levels of long-chain n-3 fatty acids: a cross-sectional study within the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Several investigations have adopted self-reported intake frequency of fish as a surrogate for intake of long-chain n-3 fatty acids, for which protective effects against cancer have been suggested. Whether reported fish consumption reflects the fatty acid intake, however, has to be elucidated. METHODS: We examined the association between intake frequency of fish and serum long-chain n-3 fatty acids (weight percentage of total fatty acids) among 1,257 control subjects (631 men and 626 women), aged 40-79 years, in case-control studies nested in the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study. All the subjects were not fasting when blood was drawn. Serum fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography. RESULTS: In men, intake frequency of fresh fish and dried or salted fish was significantly but weakly correlated with serum levels of eicosapentaenoic (EPA), docosapentaenoic (n-3) (DPA), and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids; the age-adjusted Spearman correlation coefficients ranged from 0.11 to 0.18. In women, fresh fish consumption was somewhat associated with serum EPA (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.12) as was dried or salted fish consumption with serum DPA (0.11). A rising trend in geometric means of serum EPA, DPA, and DHA was found with an increasing intake frequency of fresh or dried/salted fish in both sexes. The geometric means adjusted for age and participating institution in the highest intake category were higher than those in the lowest by 7% to 40%. CONCLUSIONS: A population with high self-reported frequency of fish intake, as a group, may have higher bioavailability of long-chain n-3 fatty acids than one with low frequency.     

Seafood (wild and farmed) for the elderly: Contribution to the dietary intakes of iodine, selenium, DHA and vitamins B12 and D

A large body of published data was analyzed to determine the concentrations of DHA, vitamins B12 and D, iodine, selenium in seafood (finfish and shellfish, wild and farmed, seawater and freshwater). The data on apparent consumption per inhabitant were taken from statistics prepared by OFIMER. This was used to determine the mean consumption of the main products of seafood in France in 2004 and the mean intakes of people aged 65 years and over. Not enough seafood is consumed by older people, according to the French recommended dietary allowances (french RDA), seafood provides 25% of the vitamin D RDA, 56% of the vitamin B12 RDA, 28% of iodine RDA, 23% of selenium RDA and 203% of DHA french RDA. For DHA, mean intake is aprox. 100% of international RDA. Seafood is the only class of food that provides major fractions of all these elements. We therefore recommend that older people increase their consumption of seafood to counteract the potential problems due to the low concentrations of these elements in their usual diets; this could overcome a potentially major public health problem. All elderly people would benefit from an increased intake of vitamin D and B12, iodine and selenium. Although some segments of the population seem not to lack DHA, others, such as those whose socio-economic positions or life styles restrict their seafood intakes, would benefit greatly from an increased intake of this omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid.     

Single measurement of serum phospholipid fatty acid as a biomarker of specific fatty acid intake in middle-aged Japanese men

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of serum phospholipid fatty acid (FA) levels as a biochemical indicator of habitual dietary fatty acid intake in Japanese, whose diet is characterized by low fat intake and high intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of marine origin. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighty-seven male volunteers from four public health center districts that were part of the Japan Public Health Center based Prospective Study (JPHC Study) cohort I, were included in this study. Habitual intake of fatty acid was obtained by 7 day weighed dietary records four times (in one area only twice) in 1994--1995. Blood was collected twice, in February and August of the same year, and the composition of FA in serum phospholipid was analyzed by gas chromatography. The correlation coefficient between serum phospholipid FA levels and fatty acid intake was calculated. RESULTS: High correlations were observed for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are marine origin n-3 PUFA (r=0.75, 0.49, 0.50, respectively). No significant correlation was observed for saturated fatty acid (SFA), although the monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), palmitoleic acid and oleic acid intake were moderately correlated (r=0.22, 0.35, respectively). The correlations for EPA, DPA and DHA were similar in both samples collected in February and August. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that in populations with a high and stable over time intake of n-3 PUFA of marine origin, a single measurement of serum phospholipids reflects the ranking of habitual intake of marine origin n-3 PUFA.     

A valid semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire to measure fish consumption

OBJECTIVE: To validate a detailed semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire designed to measure habitual fish and seafood consumption. DESIGN: Cross-sectional validation study using an independent biomarker of fish consumption. SETTING: Perth metropolitan area, Western Australia. SUBJECTS: Ninety-one healthy volunteers of both sexes aged 21-75 years. METHODS: Participants completed the questionnaire and provided a fasting blood sample for erythrocyte membrane omega-3 fatty acid (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) analysis. The questionnaire was then validated by linear regression analysis of EPA and DHA levels on categories of fish and seafood and overall consumption, adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, body mass index (BMI) and alcohol intake. RESULTS: Regression coefficients were statistically significant for most fish and seafood items with both EPA and DHA. The strongest association was observed between oily fish and EPA, whereas no significant association was observed between lean fish and omega-3 fatty acids. Variation in omega-3 fatty acids was best accounted for by a model containing variables representing different categories of fish and seafood consumption (R (2) 0.484), rather than a single variable representing overall fish and seafood consumption (R (2) 0.313). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that the varying content of omega-3 fatty acids in foods are reflected in omega-3 biomarkers, and that the questionnaire is a valid measure of fish consumption that enables differentiation between cooking and processing methods and oily versus lean fish intake.     

Associations of Vitamin B6 Intake and Plasma Pyridoxal 5′-Phosphate with Plasma Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in US Older Adults: Findings from NHANES 2003–2004

Previous evidence suggests a potential dual impact of aging and vitamin B6 (B6) deficiency on polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolism; gender may influence PUFA biosynthesis. Perturbation of PUFA compositions during B6 deficiency could be linked to age-related health outcomes. However, little is known about the interrelationships between vitamin B6, PUFA, and gender in the older population. Therefore, we investigated whether gender-specific associations of B6 intake and plasma pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP) concentration, respectively, with plasma PUFA concentrations and ratios (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA), EPA + DHA, EPA/AA, and (EPA + DHA)/AA) existed in older adults. We further examined the relationships of adequate B6 status (PLP ≥ 20 nmol/L) with high (above median) plasma PUFA relative to deficient B6 status. This cross-sectional study analyzed 461 participants aged ≥60 years from NHANES 2003–2004. Nutrient intakes were assessed using two 24-h recalls and supplement questionnaires. PLP and PUFA concentrations were measured. Multivariate linear regression assessed the association of B6 intake and PLP with PUFA; multivariate logistic regression evaluated the relationship of adequate B6 status with high plasma PUFA, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and dietary factors; physical activity; smoking; alcohol; medication; and BMI. There were interactions between gender and B6 intake on EPA (P-_interaction = 0.008) and AA (P-_interaction = 0.004) only, whereas no interaction existed between gender and PLP on PUFA. PLP was directly associated with EPA (β = 0.181, P = 0.002), DHA (β = 0.109, P = 0.005), EPA + DHA (β = 0.14, P = 0.002), EPA/AA (β = 0.186, P = 0.004), and (EPA + DHA)/AA (β = 0.13, P = 0.026). The odds of having high plasma EPA (adjusted (a) OR: 2.03, P = 0.049) and EPA/AA (aOR: 3.83, P < 0.0001) were greater in those with adequate B6 status compared to those with deficient B6 status. In conclusion, in US older adults, a higher PLP level was associated with a greater level of EPA, DHA, EPA + DHA, EPA/AA, and (EPA + DHA)/AA. Adequate B6 status was associated with high EPA and EPA/AA status. These findings suggest that sufficient vitamin B6 status may positively influence PUFA metabolism in older adults.     

Effect of altered dietary n-3 fatty acid intake upon plasma lipid fatty acid composition,conversion of [13C]alpha-linolenic acid to longer-chain fatty acids and partitioning towards beta-oxidation in older men

The effect of increased dietary intakes of alpha-linolenic acid (ALNA) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for 2 months upon plasma lipid composition and capacity for conversion of ALNA to longer-chain metabolites was investigated in healthy men (52 (SD 12) years). After a 4-week baseline period when the subjects substituted a control spread, a test meal containing [U-(13)C]ALNA (700 mg) was consumed to measure conversion to EPA, docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and DHA over 48 h. Subjects were then randomised to one of three groups for 8 weeks before repeating the tracer study: (1) continued on same intake (control, n 5); (2) increased ALNA intake (10 g/d, n 4); (3) increased EPA+DHA intake (1.5 g/d, n 5). At baseline, apparent fractional conversion of labelled ALNA was: EPA 2.80, DPA 1.20 and DHA 0.04 %. After 8 weeks on the control diet, plasma lipid composition and [(13)C]ALNA conversion remained unchanged compared with baseline. The high-ALNA diet resulted in raised plasma triacylglycerol-EPA and -DPA concentrations and phosphatidylcholine-EPA concentration, whilst [(13)C]ALNA conversion was similar to baseline. The high-(EPA+DHA) diet raised plasma phosphatidylcholine-EPA and -DHA concentrations, decreased [(13)C]ALNA conversion to EPA (2-fold) and DPA (4-fold), whilst [(13)C]ALNA conversion to DHA was unchanged. The dietary interventions did not alter partitioning of ALNA towards beta-oxidation. The present results indicate ALNA conversion was down-regulated by increased product (EPA+DHA) availability, but was not up-regulated by increased substrate (ALNA) consumption. This suggests regulation of ALNA conversion may limit the influence of variations in dietary n-3 fatty acid intake on plasma lipid compositions.     

Mercury,omega-3 fatty acids,and seafood intake are not associated with heart rate variability or QT interval

Mercury (Hg), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations differ across seafood types. Our aim was to investigate the association of Hg, EPA, and DHA, as well as avid consumption of diverse seafood types, with cardiovascular variables heart rate variability (HRV) and QT interval duration (QTc) in a contemporary population. We measured HRV and QTc by Holter monitor, EPA and DHA in plasma, total Hg in whole blood, and possible confounders in 94 avid seafood consumers from Long Island, NY. Participants had mean Hg of 8.4 mcg/L, mean EPA of 1.2%, and mean DHA of 3.7% of total fatty acids. Adjusted for possible confounders, EPA+DHA, Hg, and total seafood consumption were not associated with HRV or QTc. Associations with consumption of specific seafood types were suggested (eg, tuna steak with QTc and anchovies with HRV) but require verification.     

Chronic dietary intake of α-linolenic acid does not replicate the effects of DHA on passive properties of entorhinal cortex neurons

n-3 PUFA are receiving growing attention for their therapeutic potential in central nervous system (CNS) disorders. We have recently shown that long-term treatment with DHA alters the physiology of entorhinal cortex (EC) neurons. In the present study, we investigated by patch-clamp the effect of another major dietary n-3 PUFA, α-linolenic acid (LNA), on the intrinsic properties of EC neurons. Mice were chronically exposed to isoenergetic diets deficient in n-3 PUFA or enriched in either DHA or LNA on an equimolar basis. GC analyses revealed an increase in DHA (34%) and a decrease in arachidonic acid (AA, - 23%) in brain fatty acid concentrations after consumption of the DHA-enriched diet. Dietary intake of LNA similarly affected brain fatty acid profiles, but at a lower magnitude (DHA: 23%, AA: - 13%). Compared to the n-3 PUFA-deficient diet, consumption of DHA, but not LNA, induced membrane hyperpolarisation ( -60 to -70 mV), increased cellular capacitance (32%) and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current frequency (50%). We propose that the inefficiency of LNA to modulate cellular capacitance was related to its inability to increase the brain DHA:AA ratio over the threshold necessary to up-regulate syntaxin-3 (46%) and translocate drebrin (40% membrane:cytosol ratio). In summary, our present study shows that the increase in brain DHA content following chronic administration of LNA was not sufficient to alter the passive and synaptic properties of EC neurons, compared to direct dietary intake of DHA. These diverging results have important implications for the therapeutic use of n-3 PUFA in CNS disease, favouring the use of preformed DHA.     

Fatty acid compositions of serum phospholipids of postmenopausal women: a comparison between Greenland Inuit and Canadians before and after supplementation with fish oil

OBJECTIVES: We compared serum phospholipid fatty acid compositions, in particular the status of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), of postmenopausal Greenland Inuit women and postmenopausal Canadian women at baseline and after supplementing the Canadian women with a fish-oil product. METHODS: Fasting serum samples were collected from 15 Inuit subjects from Greenland and 16 non-Inuit subjects from Canada. In addition, eight Canadian subjects provided fasting serum samples after completing a long-chain omega-3 PUFA intervention (2.4 g of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] plus 1.6 g of docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] per day) for 28 d. Fatty acid compositions of serum phospholipids of the samples were determined and compared by one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: In comparison with the Greenlanders, baseline Canadian women had 73% and 46% less EPA (20:5omega-3) and DHA (22:6omega-3), respectively, and 32% and 91% more linoleic acid (LA; 18:2omega-6) and arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4omega-6), respectively. The omega-3 supplementation in Canadian women increased DHA and decreased LA levels to approach those in Greenland Inuit and raised EPA levels to surpass (45% higher) those in Greenland women (P < 0.0001). In contrast, AA was only moderately lowered (by 16% overall) such that AA levels remained 62% higher in the supplemented Canadians than in the Greenlanders (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term EPA plus DHA supplementation of postmenopausal North American women can mimic the high EPA and DHA levels and lower LA levels in corresponding Inuit women but not the markedly lower levels of AA. The present findings also support the hypothesis of genetically decreased Delta5-desaturase potential in the Greenland Inuit compared with Canadian postmenopausal women.     

Blood concentrations of individual long-chain n-3 fatty acids and risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Whereas dietary intake of long-chain n-3 fatty acids has been associated with risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), few studies have examined the relation for blood concentrations. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effect of long-chain n-3 fatty acids in blood on the risk of nonfatal MI. DESIGN: Baseline blood samples were collected from 32 826 participants of the Nurses' Health Study in 1989-1990, among whom 146 incident cases of nonfatal MI were ascertained during 6 y of follow-up and matched with 288 controls. RESULTS: After multivariate adjustment, the relative risks (95% CI) comparing the highest with the lowest quartiles in plasma were 0.23 (0.09, 0.55; P for trend = 0.001) for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 0.40 (0.20, 0.82; P for trend = 0.004) for docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and 0.46 (0.18, 1.16; P for trend = 0.07) for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The associations for these fatty acids in erythrocytes were generally weaker and nonsignificant. In contrast to EPA and DHA, blood concentrations of DPA were not correlated with dietary consumption of n-3 fatty acids. Higher plasma concentrations of EPA, DPA, and DHA were associated with higher plasma concentrations of HDL cholesterol and lower concentrations of triacylglycerol and inflammatory markers. CONCLUSIONS: Higher plasma concentrations of EPA and DPA are associated with a lower risk of nonfatal MI among women. These findings may partly reflect dietary consumption but, particularly for DPA, may indicate important risk differences based on metabolism of long-chain n-3 fatty acids.