Body surface area-based omega-3 fatty acids supplementation strongly correlates to blood concentrations in children.

Abstract

Omega-3 fatty acids have been suggested as a complement in cancer treatment, but doses are not established. We performed a dose-finding study in 33 children in remission from cancer. Participants were allocated to a body surface area (BSA) adjusted dose (mg/m 2 ) of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (40:60), ranging 233-3448 mg/m 2 daily for 90 days. Fatty acid concentration in plasma phospholipids and red blood cells were determined by GC. Supplementation was well tolerated and correlated strongly with blood ω3fatty acid concentrations and EPA showed the highest increase. Using the ω3-index disregards docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), which increased 30-43% in our study motivating an EDD-index ( ∑ EPA,DPA,DHA). The ratio between arachidonic acid and EPA or DHA showed negative exponential trends. Dose per BSA enabled an individualized omega-3 supplementation decreasing the variation referred to interindividual differences. Based on our results, we suggest a dose of 1500 mg/m 2 BSA for further studies.

Nutritional Status Predicts Fatty Acid Uptake from Fish and Soybean Oil Supplements for Treatment of Cancer-Related Fatigue: Results from a Phase II Nationwide Study

“…Several other studies have demonstrated large variations in the uptake and utilization of omega-3 fatty acids from supplements and explored factors that predict uptake of omega-3′s from supplements. For example, a higher BMI is associated with lower increases in omega-3 concentrations from supplementation due to a greater volume of distribution of the fatty acid supplements [ 31 ]. Additionally, several studies in healthy adults have demonstrated that a lower omega-3 fatty acid concentration in plasma and/or erythrocyte membranes was associated with greater omega-3 fatty acid uptake from supplements [ 32 , 33 , 34 ].…”

Whole blood long-chain n-3 fatty acids as a measure of fish oil compliance in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a pilot study

“…This is supported by results in adult athletes that tested if bodyweight could explain variability in the RBC EPA+DHA response to n-3 LCPUFA intake [24]. However, two other studies, one of them in children in remission from cancer, reported equally good correlations between RBC EPA+DHA and intake of EPA+DHA from supplements in g/d and relative to bodyweight [25,26].…”