Associations Between Whole Blood and Dietary Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Levels in Collegiate Athletes

Abstract

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have important physiological functions and may offer select benefits for athletic performance and recovery. The purpose of this investigation was to assess dietary and whole blood omega-3 PUFAs among collegiate athletes. In addition, a brief questionnaire was evaluated as a valid tool for quantifying omega-3 PUFA intake. Fifty-eight athletes (9 males, 49 females) completed a 21-item questionnaire developed to assess omega-3 PUFA intake and provided dried whole blood samples to quantify α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and the HS-Omega-3 Index. Geometric means (95% confidence intervals) for the HS-Omega-3 Index were 4.79% (4.37-5.25%) and 4.75% (4.50-5.01%) for males and females, respectively. Median dietary intakes of ALA, EPA, and DHA were all below 100 mg. Among females, several dietary omega-3 PUFA variables were positively associated with whole blood EPA, with total EPA (rho = 0.67, p < .001) and total DHA (rho = 0.69, p < .001) intakes showing the strongest correlations. Whole blood DHA among females showed positive associations with dietary intakes, with total EPA (rho = 0.62, p < .001) and total DHA (rho = 0.64, p < .001) intakes demonstrating the strongest correlations. The HS-Omega-3 Index in females was positively correlated with all dietary variables except ALA. Among males, the only significant correlation was between food and whole blood EPA (rho = 0.83, p < .01). Collegiate athletes had relatively low intakes of omega-3 PUFAs. A 21-item questionnaire may be useful for screening female athletes for poor omega-3 PUFA status.

Dietary and Biological Assessment of Omega-3 Status of Collegiate Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

“…The sub-optimal O3i observed for in our study (4.3%) was similar to previous observations,(39,44,53,54) and did not differ based on sex or sport. While further research is needed to investigate potential differences in needs between athletes of different sex and sport, these we observed collegiate athletes collectively have low ω-3 FA status.…”

“…Those involved in nutrition programming and meal planning should also recognize that plant-based sources of ω-3 FA are rich in ALA rather than EPA + DHA and that the conversion of ALA to EPA + DHA is minimal. (27) The observed lack of correlation between dietary ALA and blood measures of EPA, DHA and O3i, is also consistent with previous findings (39,46)…”

“…Given the pattern of low ω-3 FA intake observed in collegiate athletes,(39,44) clinicians should consider nutritional interventions aimed at improving ω-3 FA status. One strategy could be increasing consumption of fish and seafood, the richest sources of EPA + DHA, as nearly half of participants reported no fish consumption in the last 6 months.…”

“…A 26-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) validated to assess ω-3 FA dietary intake(39,46) was administered to participants. The FFQ was modified to include demographic characteristics of participants (sex, age, academic year, and sport) and ω-3 FA supplement use.…”

“…While there is currently no consensus for ω-3 FA dietary recommendations (Table 2),(33–36) low ω-3 FA intake appears to be prevalent within the general population of North America, primarily attributed to the limited number of food sources, which includes a short list of fish and seafood, and infrequent consumption of these ω-3 FA rich foods. (28,29,37,38) Reports of athletes’ dietary ω-3 FA intake are minimal to date, but Wilson and Madrigal(39) observed intakes of EPA and DHA below 100 mg daily in a group of 58 National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I collegiate athletes. While no athlete-specific guidelines have been established, this is significantly less than the recommendation from the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics to consume two fish servings weekly, providing a daily average of 500 mg EPA + DHA.…”