The Omega-3 Index Response to an 8 Week Randomized Intervention Containing Three Fatty Fish Meals Per Week Is Influenced by Adiposity in Overweight to Obese Women

Abstract

BackgroundThe Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommends consuming ~225 g/wk of a variety of seafood providing >1.75 g/wk of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids to reduce cardiovascular disease risk, however individual responses to treatment vary.ObjectiveThis study had three main objectives. First, to determine if a DGA-conforming diet (DGAD), in comparison to a typical American diet (TAD), can increase the omega-3 index (OM3I), i.e., the red blood cell mol% of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Second, to identify factors explaining variability in the OM3I response to dietary treatment. Third to identify factors associated with the baseline OM3I.DesignThis is a secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind 8 wk dietary intervention of overweight/obese women fed an 8d rotating TAD (n = 20) or DGAD (n = 22) registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02298725. The DGAD-group consumed 240 g/wk of Atlantic farmed salmon and albacore tuna in three meals with an estimated EPA + DHA of 3.7 ± 0.6 g/wk. The TAD-group consumed ~160 g/wk of farmed white shrimp and a seafood salad containing imitation crab in three meal with an estimated EPA + DHA of 0.45 ± 0.05 g/wk. Habitual diet was determined at baseline, and body composition was determined at 0 and 8wks. Red blood cell fatty acids were measured at 0, 2 and 8 wk.ResultsAt 8 wk, the TAD-group OM3I was unchanged (5.90 ± 1.35–5.80 ± 0.76%), while the DGAD-group OM3I increased (5.63 ± 1.27–7.33 ± 1.36%; p < 0.001). In the DGAD-group 9 of 22 participants achieved an OM3I >8%. Together, body composition and the baseline OM3I explained 83% of the response to treatment variability. Baseline OM3I (5.8 ± 1.3%; n = 42) was negatively correlated to the android fat mass (p = 0.0007) and positively correlated to the FFQ estimated habitual (EPA+DHA) when expressed as a ratio to total dietary fat (p = 0.006).ConclusionsAn 8 wk TAD did not change the OM3I of ~6%, while a DGAD with 240 g/wk of salmon and albacore tuna increased the OM3I. Body fat distribution and basal omega-3 status are primary factors influencing the OM3I response to dietary intake in overweight/obese women.

Beneficial Effects of Table Grape Use on Serum Levels of Omega-3 Index and Liver Function: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

“…The composition of circulating fatty acids is considered as a valid biochemical marker for assessing the physiological status of various fatty acids including their possible correlations with the diet [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Close correlations between the serum levels of Omega-3 PUFAs and metabolic disease-related risk have been observed [ 29 ].…”

Dietary Supplementation with Different ω-6 to ω-3 Fatty Acid Ratios Affects the Sustainability of Performance, Egg Quality, Fatty Acid Profile, Immunity and Egg Health Indices of Laying Hens

“…The use of vegetable oils from sunflower, corn, soybean, and cottonseed in human and animal nutrition has increased the intake of ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and decreased that of ω-3 PUFAs, increasing the ω-6 to ω-3 ratio of the ingested lipids [1]. It is well known that a high ω-6/ω-3 PUFA ratio may contribute to an increase of the incidences of many emerging diseases, including heart disease, depression, and autoimmune disorders [2,3]. Therefore, keeping a suitable dietary ω-6/ω-3 ratio is more critical than the single fatty acid level [3,4].…”

“…It is well known that a high ω-6/ω-3 PUFA ratio may contribute to an increase of the incidences of many emerging diseases, including heart disease, depression, and autoimmune disorders [2,3]. Therefore, keeping a suitable dietary ω-6/ω-3 ratio is more critical than the single fatty acid level [3,4]. The ω-6/ω-3 ratio regulates the composition of the cell membranes and, consequently, the quantities and types of eicosanoids that are formed.…”

“…Recently, ω-6 and ω-3 PUFA have been assessed to determine the nutritional value of dietary lipids [10][11][12]. Increasing dietary consumption of ω-3 PUFA, especially the longer-chain docosahexaenoic (DHA; 22:6) acid and eicosapentaenoic (EPA; 20:5), may aid in the control and treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory disorders [1][2][3]10]. The literature suggests for patients to intake lipids with a ω-6 to ω-3 ratio between 1:1 and 5:1 [4,7].…”

“…Although the effect of ω-3 in diets on the quality of poultry products has been studied, the ω-6 to ω-3 ratio has received little consideration. Keeping in mind the importance of the ratio ω-6 to ω-3 and its role in immunity and disease prevention [1][2][3][4][5]10], the present study aimed to test the dietary impact of different ω-6/ω-3 PUFAs on egg health indices with altered dietary ω-6 to ω-3 ratios, egg laying performance and quality, egg fatty acid profile, and immune response of laying hens.…”