Dietary α-linolenic acid and health-related outcomes: a metabolic perspective.
Burdge, Graham C. and Calder, Philip C. (2006) Dietary α-linolenic acid and health-related outcomes: a metabolic perspective. Nutrition Research Reviews, 19, (1), 26-52. (doi:10.1079/NRR2005113).
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Description/Abstract
a-Linolenic acid (aLNA; 18 : 3n-3) is essential in the human diet, probably because it is the substrate for the synthesis of longer-chain, more unsaturated n-3 fatty acids, principally EPA(20 : 5n-3) and DHA (22 : 6n-3), which confer important biophysical properties on cell
membranes and so are required for tissue function. The extent to which this molecular transformation occurs in man is controversial. The present paper reviews the recent literature on the metabolism of aLNA in man, including the use of dietary aLNA in b-oxidation, recycling of carbon by fatty acid synthesis de novo and conversion to longer-chain PUFA. Sex differences in aLNA metabolism and the possible biological consequences are discussed. Increased
consumption of EPA and DHA in fish oil has a number of well-characterised beneficial effects on health. The present paper also reviews the efficacy of increased aLNA consumption in increasing the concentrations of EPA and DHA in blood and cell lipid pools, and the extent to
which such dietary interventions might be protective against CVD and inflammation. Although the effects on CVD risk factors and inflammatory markers are variable, where beneficial effects have been reported these are weaker than have been achieved from increasing consumption of
EPA þ DHA or linoleic acid. Overall, the limited capacity for conversion to longer-chain n-3 fatty acids, and the lack of efficacy in ameliorating CVD risk factors and inflammatory markers in man suggests that increased consumption of aLNA may be of little benefit in altering
EPA þ DHA status or in improving health outcomes compared with other dietary interventions.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| ISSNs: | 0954-4224 (print) 1475-2700 (electronic) |
| Related URLs: | |
| Keywords: | α-linolenic acid, human metabolism, cardiovascular disease, inflammation |
| Divisions: | University Structure - Pre August 2011 > School of Medicine > Developmental Origins of Health and Disease |
| Item ID: | 152851 |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Jun 2010 09:29 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Mar 2012 13:58 |
| Contributors: | Burdge, Graham C. (Author) Calder, Philip C. (Author) |
| Date: | June 2006 |
| Status: | Published |
| URI: | http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/152851 |
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