Association between Obesity and Omega-3 Status in Healthy Young Women

Abstract

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are essential for healthy development and protect against metabolic disease. However, individuals with obesity may be pre-disposed to experiencing lower n-3 PUFA status than normal-weight individuals. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between the omega-3 index (O3I), body mass index (BMI) and dietary intake in healthy young women (n = 300; age = 18–35 y), a group not previously focused on. Intake was adjusted for energy using the residuals method, and associations were explored using independent t-tests and Pearson’s correlations. Participants with obesity were found to have significantly lower O3I than normal-weight participants (p < 0.0001); however, no significant differences were observed in mean n-3 PUFA intakes. Even so, energy-adjusted intakes of n-3 PUFAs, with the exception of alpha-linolenic acid, were significantly correlated with O3I. This study demonstrates that O3I is influenced by both BMI and diet in young women; however the relationship between these two variables may be complex. Current intakes of n-3 PUFA observed in young women may not be effective in achieving target O3I levels in those with obesity, and further research is needed to find effective ways of improving n-3 PUFA status in a group already at increased risk of metabolic disease.

Relationship Between Fish Oil Use and Incidence of Primary Liver Cancer: Findings From a Population-Based Prospective Cohort Study

“…Such an interaction was referred to as the "fish-like effect of moderate drinking" (17) and may involve activation of the elongation/desaturation pathway following alcohol drinking, thereby increased synthesis of n-3 LCPUFA from the precursor α-linolenic acid (18). On the other hand, the metabolisms of n-3 LCPUFA may be reduced by obesity (e.g., due to obesity-induced oxidative injury to erythrocyte membranes) (20,21). N-3 LCPUFA is involved in a wide range of molecular and cellular pathways.…”

Effects of Dietary α-Linolenic Acid Treatment and the Efficiency of Its Conversion to Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acids in Obesity and Related Diseases

“…Adequate intake of ALA is 1.1 g/day for women and 1.6g/day for men [ 37 ]. The mean intake of ALA in European countries and the US is slightly above the adequate intake [ 3 , 5 ], and doses in interventional trials of about 4 g are easily obtained by consumption of ALA-rich oils or whole seeds. EPA and DHA are not present in high amounts in plants; their primary dietary sources are fish oils and other seafood products, so they are often called marine n−3 PUFAs [ 2 ].…”

“…The percentage abundance and content of individual n−3 and n−6 PUFAs, especially of those that are not present in high amounts in diets, reflect the LA and ALA metabolic conversion in the desaturase/elongase metabolic pathway [ 1 , 40 ]. According to the available literature data of numerous observational studies, the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) status in circulation and tissues could be altered in overweight and obesity [ 5 , 12 , 15 , 22 ].…”

“…Some plant foods contain considerable amounts of ALA such as flaxseed, perilla, chia seeds, walnuts, rapeseed, and soybeans [ 2 ]. The mean dietary intake of ALA is generally slightly above the adequate intake recommendation [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. An intriguing scientific question is whether ALA exerts its physiological benefits only after its metabolism to the active forms eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or shows unique effects in organisms [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

The effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on weight loss and cognitive function in overweight or obese individuals on weight-loss diet

“…Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) commonly found in marine fish oil as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and their function in obesity, diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, mental state, and cognitive function has been studied in many observational and randomized prospective controlled clinical studies (1)(2)(3)(4). Dietary fish oil supplementation reduces body fat mass by increasing lipid oxygenation, and decreases mortality related to stroke and diabetes, which is related to long-chain omega-3 PUFA intake (5,6).…”