Conversion of Alpha Linolenic Acid to Longer-Chain Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are required in the diet as they can not be synthesized by humans from the shorter chain fatty acid, oleic acid (C18:1). The omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid (C18:2n-6, LA) found in many vegetable oils such as soy and corn oils, and the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic (C18:3n-3, ALA) are EFAs. Read More
Bread Enrichment with Oilseeds. A Review.
Effect of α-linolenic acid on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure in untreated high-normal and stage I hypertensive subjects.
Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and neuroinflammation – efficacy may depend on dietary alpha-linolenic and linoleic acid background levels.
Sociodemographic, Anthropometric, and Dietary Predictors of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Adipose Tissue Among Mesoamerican Children and Their Parents.
Adipose tissue polyunsaturated fatty acids and metabolic syndrome among adult parents and their children.
Key Points
The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors that is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mortality. The essential FA a-linolenic acid (18:3 n-3; ALA) and linoleic acid (18:2 n-6; LA) may be inversely related to
MetS, but evidence is limited. Additionally, the relation between PUFA status and cardiometabolic health in childhood is uncertain.
In this cross-sectional study of Mesoamerican families, it was found that, among adults, MetS prevalence was inversely associated with adipose tissue ALA but positively related to EPA. In addition, MetS was inversely related to GLA but positively to DGLA and D6D. In children, DPA, DGLA, and D6D were positively associated with an overall metabolic risk score. The inverse association between ALA and MetS among Mesoamerican adults is in line with results from previous studies. Of three cross-sectional investigations of adipose tissue ALA and MetS or its components, two found inverse associations with insulin resistance and one found inverse relations with MetS, high waist circumference, and fasting glucose. The main strength of this study is the use of the gold standard for assessing long-term FA intake, adipose tissue. In conclusion, among adults MetS prevalence is inversely associated with adipose tissue ALA and GLA, and positively associated with EPA, DGLA, and D6D activity. Among children, metabolic risk score is positively associated with adipose tissue DPA, DGLA, and D6D activity. Future studies should assess these associations using longitudinal designs. A potential protective effect of ALA against MetS warrants further investigation, since ALA status can be easily enhanced through relatively simple dietary interventions.