Australian food sources and intakes of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
OBJECTIVE
Both omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are recognised as essential nutrients in the human diet, yet we have little information on the extent to which different food sources contribute to their intake. The aim of the present study was to ascertain the daily intakes and food sources of omega-6 and omega-3 PUFAs in our local community.


METHODS
Three-day food records were obtained from 83 healthy adults living in the Illawarra region of New South Wales. The PUFA composition of the foods which they consumed was derived from food composition tables and recently published food analysis data.


RESULTS
Polyunsaturated margarine, nuts/seeds, bread, snacks/desserts and takeaway foods were important sources of omega-6 PUFAs, while canola oil and margarine, takeaway foods, snacks/desserts and bread were sources of alpha-linolenic acid (LNA), an omega-3 PUFA. As expected, fish was the main source of the very long chain (VLC) omega-3 PUFAs, i.e. eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), to which significant health benefits are attributed. An unexpected finding, however, was that, due to the large amount eaten, meat was also a major contributor (29%) to the dietary intake of VLC omega-3 PUFAs. Median intakes of omega-6 and omega-3 PUFAs were 9.9 and 1.2 g/day, respectively, resulting in a dietary omega-6:omega-3 ratio of 8:1. The median intake of VLC omega-3 PUFA was 0.18 g/day.


CONCLUSIONS
We have identified food sources and intakes of PUFAs for an Australian subpopulation differentiating between omega-6 and omega-3 PUFAs. Whilst canola and fish were the primary sources of LNA and VLC omega-3 PUFAs respectively, we found that meat made a significant contribution to VLC omega-3 PUFA intake.
Ollis
T E
TE
Department of Biomedical Science and Smart Foods Centre, University of Wollongong, Australia.
Meyer
B J
BJ
Howe
P R
PR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D004032:Diet; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000032:analysis*; D004435:Eating; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000032:analysis*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D005504:Food Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D009749:Nutrition Surveys
D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated