Very low n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status in Austrian vegetarians and vegans.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to collect data on dietary fat intake of omnivores, vegetarians, vegans and semi-omnivores as well as its impact on n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in long-term markers such as sphingolipids, phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) as well as the calculated sphingo- and phospholipids (SPL) of erythrocytes.


METHODS
The present observational study included 98 Austrian adult volunteers of both genders, of which 23 were omnivores, 25 vegetarians, 37 vegans, and 13 semi-omnivores. Information on anthropometry using measured body weight and height was obtained. The amount and composition of ingested fat were calculated from 24-hour recalls and the fatty acid pattern in the phospholipids was assessed using gas chromatography.


RESULTS
The unbalanced n-6/n-3 ratio and the limited dietary sources of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in vegans and vegetarians led to reductions in C20:5n-3, C22:5n-3, C22:6n-3 and total n-3 fatty acids in SPL, PC, PS and PE compared with omnivores and semi-omnivores. The total content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids and saturated fatty acids remained unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
The vegetarian diet, with an average n-6/n-3 ratio of 10/1, promotes biochemical n-3 tissue decline. To ensure physical, mental and neurological health vegetarians have to reduce the n-6/n-3 ratio with an additional intake of direct sources of EPA and DHA, regardless of age and gender.
Kornsteiner
Margit
M
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Singer
Ingrid
I
Elmadfa
Ibrahim
I
D000328:Adult; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D011939:Mental Recall; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000737:chemistry*
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D010743:Phospholipids; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid