Dietary Stearidonic Acid Is a Long Chain (n-3) Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid with Potential Health Benefits

Abstract

The therapeutic and health-promoting effects of (n-3) long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA) from fish are well known, although these same benefits may not be shared by their precursor, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). World-wide agencies and scientific organizations (i.e. FDA, AHA, International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids, Institute of Medicine, WHO, etc.) have made similar dietary recommendations for (n-3) LCPUFA; however, due to concerns regarding the safety of consuming fish, alternative sources of (n-3) LCPUFA are being investigated. One such lipid is stearidonic acid (SDA), a naturally occurring (n-3) PUFA that may have similar biological properties to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a major (n-3) PUFA in fish oil. Existing and novel plant sources rich in SDA are being cultivated and promoted as potential alternatives to marine-based (n-3) PUFA. This critical review provides a direct comparison of SDA with other dietary (n-3) PUFA under similar experimental conditions. The comparative results suggest that SDA shares many of the biological effects of (n-3) LCPUFA and functions most similarly to dietary EPA compared with ALA when consumed in a typical Western diet. Therefore, although SDA may not replace fish as a major dietary source of (n-3) LCPUFA, it could become a prominent surrogate for EPA in the commercial development of foods fortified with (n-3) PUFA.

A randomized double blind comparison of short-term duodenally administrated whale and seal blubber oils in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and joint pain

“…Plasma phospholipid DPA was recently found to correlate inversely with C-reactive protein in patients with active IBD [50]. SO and WO also contained 1.3 and 2.3 g/100 g stearidonic acid (18:4n-3) respectively, possibly weighing partially up for the low EPA content compared with fish oil [51]. While no significant group difference compared with SO, 14-days' oral administration of cod liver oil, rich in LC n-3 PUFA, vitamin D (60 g/30 mL, i.e.…”

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and cardiovascular disease

“…Several studies have examined the capacity of Soyamega™ to increase blood C 20-22 3 PUFA. Each study has yielded essentially the same outcome: SDA is converted to EPA and DPA, but it does not increase blood levels of DHA ( 222,(224)(225)(226)(227)(228)(229). FADS2 not only desaturates ALA to form SDA, it also desaturates 24:5, 3 to form 24:6, 3; then 24:6, 3 is ␤ -oxidized in the peroxisome to form DHA (22:6, 3) ( Fig.…”

Seasonal Composition of Lipids, Fatty Acids Pigments in the Brown Alga <i>Sargassum pallidum</i>: The Potential for Health

“…Stearidonic acid (18:4n-3, SA) that constitutes the first metabolite of ALA in the metabolic pathway leading to the endogenous production of eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) [90]. Recently it was suggested that 18:4n-3 itself may be a surrogate for 20:5n-3 for health promotion and disease prevention [91]. Soybean is a rich source of this fatty acid.…”