Dietary Determinants of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) Status in a High Fish-Eating Cohort during Pregnancy

Abstract

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are essential for neurodevelopment and the developing foetus depends on an optimal maternal status. Fish is a rich source of PUFA. The current study investigated dietary patterns, and associations with PUFA status in a high-fish consuming cohort of pregnant women in the Seychelles. At 28 weeks’ gestation, pregnant women provided a blood sample, from which serum total PUFA concentrations were measured, A Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and Fish Use Questionnaire (FUQ) were also completed. Principal component analysis (PCA) of dietary information identified four patterns. Regression analyses found dietary pattern 2, containing foods traditionally eaten in the Seychelles e.g., fish, fruit and vegetables was positively associated with serum docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (β = 0.134; CI = 0.001, 0.022), and serum total n-3 PUFA (β = 0.139; CI = 0.001, 0.023) concentrations. Dietary pattern 1, high in processed foods, snacks, white meat and eggs, was not significantly associated with any of the serum PUFA concentrations. The FUQ indicated that fatty fish was associated with EPA status (β = 0.180; CI = 0.001, 0.005) in high consumers. The second dietary pattern, consisting of higher consumption of fish and fruit, was positively associated with n-3 PUFA status during pregnancy.

Relationships between seafood consumption during pregnancy and childhood and neurocognitive development: Two systematic reviews

“…Lederman et al [20] did not use an FFQ but asked about seafood consumption habits. Lynch et al and Davidson et al [25,26], both in the Republic of the Seychelles, reported results from FFQs conducted previously in that cohort [42,43]. Of the studies that used FFQs, 16 studies reported that the FFQ prompted responses by asking about specific species [13-15, 17, 19, 22-24, 27-29, 31, 32, 34, 36, 41].…”

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake by Age, Gender, and Pregnancy Status in the United States: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2014

“…The major n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), play key physiological roles related to health and disease, and the health benefits of n-3 fatty acids are well established [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]. Intake of fatty fish is the primary contributor of EPA and DHA in the diet, with α-linolenic acid (ALA) conversion serving as an additional, but limited, source [10].…”

Metabolomic Insights into Marine Phytoplankton Diversity

“…These novel approaches have led to the discovery of new metabolites, fostered by the search for natural bioactive compounds with applications in agronomic, medical, or biofuel research. Indeed, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are lipids with high nutritional value [15] and may have applications in the prevention of several pathologies, such as cancers or cardiovascular diseases [16,17]. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties of polar lipids have also been highlighted recently [18,19].…”