Very long chain N-3 fatty acids intake and carotid atherosclerosis: an epidemiological study evaluated by ultrasonography.
Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse relationship between intake of N-3 fatty acids and incidence of stroke. And, there is a high incidence of stroke in patients with carotid atherosclerosis. We investigated the relationship between intake of N-3 fatty acids and carotid atherosclerosis in the cross-sectional study. A total of 1920 Japanese, aged over 40 years, received a population-based health examination in 1999. They underwent B-mode carotid ultrasonography to evaluate the carotid intimal-medial thickness (IMT). Eating patterns were evaluated by a 105 items food frequency questionnaire. A complete data set was available for 1902 subjects (785 men and 1117 women). The mean eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) intake in men was 0.32+/-0.23 g/day and in women was 0.31+/-0.20 g/day. The mean docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake in men was 0.52+/-0.34 g/day and in women was 0.49+/-0.29 g/day. With multiple linear regression analysis, after adjustments for age, sex, and total energy intake, intakes of EPA (P < 0.05), DHA (P < 0.05), and docosapentaenoic acid (P < 0.05) were significantly and inversely related to IMT. These data indicate that dietary N-3 fatty acid, especially very long chain N-3 fatty acids, may protect against carotid atherosclerosis.
The Third Department of Internal Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume 830-0011, Japan.
Asuka
A
Hino
Hisashi
H
Adachi
Koji
K
Toyomasu
Noriko
N
Yoshida
Mika
M
Enomoto
Akiko
A
Hiratsuka
Yuji
Y
Hirai
Akira
A
Satoh
Tsutomu
T
Imaizumi
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012758:Shellfish; D014463:Ultrasonography
D004041:Dietary Fats; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid