A low omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-6 PUFA) diet increases omega-3 (n-3) long chain PUFA status in plasma phospholipids in humans.
This study aimed to determine the effect of reducing the dietary linoleic acid (LA) intake from ~5% to <2.5% energy (%E) on n-3 long chain PUFA (LCPUFA) status in humans. Thirty-six participants followed a <2.5%E LA diet for 4 weeks. Nutrient intakes were estimated from diet diaries and blood samples were collected for assessment of fatty acid composition in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids. LA intakes were reduced from 4.6%E to 2%E during the low LA intervention (P<0.001) while n-3 LCPUFA intakes were unchanged. LA and total n-6 PUFA content of plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids were significantly reduced after the low LA diet phase (P<0.001). The n-3 LCPUFA content of plasma phospholipids was significantly increased after the low LA diet compared to baseline (6.22% vs. 5.53%, P<0.001). These data demonstrate that reducing LA intake for 4 weeks increases n-3 LCPUFA status in humans in the absence of increased n-3 LCPUFA intake.
School of Medicine, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia; FOODplus Research Centre, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5064, Australia.
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Wood
School of Medicine, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia.
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Lau
School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
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Mantzioris
FOODplus Research Centre, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5064, Australia.
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Gibson
Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Ramsden
FOODplus Research Centre, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5064, Australia. Electronic address: beverly.muhlhausler@adelaide.edu.au.
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Muhlhausler
D000328:Adult; D004032:Diet; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019787:Linoleic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D010743:Phospholipids; D019787:Linoleic Acid
ALA; Diet; Linoleic acid (LA); Omega-3 PUFA; Omega-6 PUFA