title: Omega-3 fatty acids status in human subjects estimated using a food frequency questionnaire and plasma phospholipids levels.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intakes of omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids (FA) are associated with several health benefits. The aim of this study was to verify whether intakes of n-3 FA estimated from a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) correlate with n-3 FA levels measured in plasma phospholipids (PL).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample consisted of 200 French-Canadians men and women aged between 18 to 55 years. Dietary data were collected using a validated FFQ. Fasting blood samples were collected and the plasma PL FA profile was measured by gas chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Low intakes of n-3 long-chain FA together with low percentages of n-3 long-chain FA in plasma PL were found in French-Canadian population. Daily intakes of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were similar between men and women. Yet, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and total n-3 FA intakes were significantly higher in men compared to women (ALA: 2.28 g and 1.69 g, p < 0.0001, total n-3 FA: 2.57 g and 1.99 g, p < 0.0001; respectively). In plasma PL, DPA and DHA percentages were significantly different between men and women (DPA: 1.03% and 0.88%, p < 0.0001, DHA: 3.00% and 3.43%, p = 0.0005; respectively). Moreover, DHA (men: r = 0.52, p < 0.0001; women: r = 0.57, p < 0.0001) and total n-3 FA (men: r = 0.47, p < 0.0001; women: r = 0.52, p < 0.0001) intakes were positively correlated to their respective plasma PL FA levels. In women, EPA (r = 0.44, p < 0.0001) and DPA (r = 0.23, p = 0.02) intakes were also correlated respectively with EPA and DPA plasma PL FA percentages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Estimated n-3 long-chain FA intake among this young and well-educated French-Canadian population is lower than the recommendations. Further, FFQ data is comparable to plasma PL results to estimate DHA and total n-3 FA status in healthy individuals as well as to evaluate the EPA and DPA status in women. Overall, this FFQ could be used as a simple, low-cost tool in future studies to rank n-3 FA status of individuals.
authors: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Laval University, Québec, Canada.
authors: Véronique
authors: V
authors: Garneau
authors: Iwona
authors: I
authors: Rudkowska
authors: Ann-Marie
authors: AM
authors: Paradis
authors: Gaston
authors: G
authors: Godin
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Julien
authors: Louis
authors: L
authors: Pérusse
authors: Marie-Claude
authors: MC
authors: Vohl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004032:Diet; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D010743:Phospholipids; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; C026219:docosapentaenoic acid