Key Findings
This study showed a non-significant inverse relationship between ALA consumption and the risk of CHD with a stronger association being found for men with a low intake of long-chain n3. The data from eight large cohort studies which included women and men in different populations consuming different diets and exhibiting a wide range of intakes was used. Variations in the data include metabolic differences between subjects, background diet, and day to day variations in tissue levels of n3. The authors suggest that a higher intake of ALA appears to reduce the risk of CHD and intake should be encouraged.
ABSTRACT
The intake of the mainly plant derived n 3 PUFA alpha linolenic acid (ALA) has been reported to be associated with a lower risk of CHD. However, the results have been inconsistent. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to examine the association between the intake of ALA and the risk of CHD. Potential effect modification by the intake of long chain n 3 PUFA was also investigated. Data from eight American and European prospective cohort studies including 148 to 675 women and 80 to 368 men were used. The outcome measure was incident CHD (CHD event and death). During 4 to 10 years of follow up, 4493 CHD events and 1751 CHD deaths occurred. Among men, an inverse association (not significant) between the intake of ALA and the risk of CHD events and deaths was observed. For each additional gram of ALA consumed, a 15 per cent lower risk of CHD events (hazard ratios (HR) 0.85, 95 per cent CI 0.72, 1.01) and a 23 per cent lower risk of CHD deaths (HR 0.77, 95 per cent CI 0.58, 1.01) were observed. No consistent association was observed among women. No effect modification by the intake of n 3 LCPUFA was observed. (Authors abstract)
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