title: Effect of n-3 oral supplements on the n-6/n-3 ratio in young adults.
abstract: Epidemiological studies show that n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratios have risen dramatically in Western diets and are associated with numerous chronic inflammation-related diseases. More balanced ratios are linked to less inflammation. This study examines the effects of adding oral supplements containing n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to diets of healthy young adults on plasma n-6/n-3 ratios. Thirty volunteers are randomly assigned to one of two groups: experimental group, EPA (1.6 g/day) and DHA (1.2 g/day); and the control group, mineral oil (2.4 ml/day). Plasma fatty acids, nutrients from foods, and anthropometric measures are evaluated at baseline and at the Week 4 endpoint. The mean (+/-SD) n-6/n-3 ratio for the experimental group is significantly lower (6.3 +/- 1.6) than the placebo group (16.8 +/- 3.5) by study completion. The results suggest that more balanced n-6/n-3 ratios may be achieved efficiently in healthy, young adults with supplements containing EPA and DHA.
authors.affiliation: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. jmcdaniel@ctcn.net
authors.forename: Jodi C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: McDaniel
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ahijevych
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Belury
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D015930:Diet Records; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009820:Ohio; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid