Decreasing the linoleic acid to alpha-linolenic acid diet ratio increases eicosapentaenoic acid in erythrocytes in adults.
The n-6/n-3 fatty acid (FA) ratio has increased in the Western-style diet to approximately 10-15:1 during the last century, which may have contributed to the rise in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Prior studies have evaluated the effects on CVD risk factors of manipulating the levels of n-6 and n-3 FA using food and supplements or investigated the metabolic fate of linoleic acid (LNA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) by varying the n-6/n-3 ratios. However, no previous studies have investigated the potential interaction between diet ratios and supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3). We used a factorial design approach with adults (n = 24) in a controlled feeding trial to compare the accretion of EPA and DHA into red blood cell membranes (RBC) by adding a direct source (algal oil supplement) of EPA and DHA in a diet with a 10:1 versus 2:1 ratio of n-6/n-3 FA. Subjects were randomized into 8-week crossover diet sequences and each subject consumed three of four diets [10:1, 10:1 plus supplement (10:1 + S), 2:1 and 2:1 + S]. LNA and ALA intakes were 9.4 and 7.7%, and 1.0 and 3.0% during the low and high ALA diets, respectively. Compared to the Western-style 10:1 diet, the 2:1 diet increased EPA by 60% (P < 0.0001) in RBC membranes without the direct EPA source and a 34% increase (P = 0.027) was observed with the 10:1 + S diet; however, DHA levels increased in both diet ratios only with a direct DHA source. Shifting towards a 2:1 diet is a valid alternative to taking EPA-containing supplements.
Wien
Michelle
M
Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall 1102, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA. mwien@llu.edu
Rajaram
Sujatha
S
Oda
Keiji
K
Sabaté
Joan
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019787:Linoleic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D019787:Linoleic Acid; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid