title: A randomised cross-over trial in healthy adults indicating improved absorption of omega-3 fatty acids by pre-emulsification.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The health benefits of increased intakes of omega-3 fatty acids are well established but palatability often presents a problem. The process of emulsification is used in the food industry to provide a wider spectrum of use, often with the result of increased consumption. Moreover, as emulsification is an important step in the digestion and absorption of fats, the pre-emulsification process may enhance digestion and absorption. In this study the levels of plasma fatty acid and triacylglycerol (TAG) following the ingestion of either an oil mixture or an emulsified oil mixture have been compared.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomised cross-over study, 13 volunteers received the oil mixture and 11 received the oil emulsion as part of an otherwise fat free meal. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5 and 9 hours after ingestion of oil, separated and stored at -20 degrees C. Plasma triacylglycerols were assessed spectrophotometrically and fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography. Following a washout period of twenty days the procedure was repeated with the assignments reversed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The postprandial plasma TAG and the C18:3 (n-6), C18:3(n-3), C20:5(n-3) and C22:6 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels for the emulsified oil group were increased significantly (P = 0.0182; P = 0.0493; P = 0.0137; P < 0.0001; P = 0.0355 respectively) compared with the non-emulsified oil group. The C16:0 and C18:0 saturated fatty acids, the C18:1 (n-9) monounsaturated fatty acid and the C18:2 PUFA were not significantly different for the oil and emulsified oil groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pre-emulsification of an oil mixture prior to ingestion increases the absorption of longer chain more highly unsaturated fatty acids (especially eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) but does not affect absorption of shorter chain less saturated fatty acids, suggesting that pre-emulsification of fish oils may be a useful means of boosting absorption of these beneficial fatty acids.
authors.affiliation: Obsidian Research Ltd., Baglan, Port Talbot, UK. ivetag@obsidianresearch.co.uk
authors.forename: Iveta
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Garaiova
authors.forename: Irina A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Guschina
authors.forename: Sue F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Plummer
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Duolao
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Nigel T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Plummer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004032:Diet; D004655:Emulsions / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005215:Fasting; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D008043:Linseed Oil / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D005395:Fish Oils; D010938:Plant Oils; D014280:Triglycerides; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid; D008043:Linseed Oil; C079363:borage oil