The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

[alpha]-Linolenic acid metabolism in men and women: nutritional and biological implications

[alpha]-Linolenic acid metabolism in men and women: nutritional and biological implications
[alpha]-Linolenic acid metabolism in men and women: nutritional and biological implications
Purpose of review: This review critically evaluates current knowledge of [alpha]-linolenic acid metabolism in adult humans based on the findings of studies using stable isotope tracers and on increased dietary [alpha]-linolenic acid intake. The relative roles of [alpha]-linolenic acid and of longer-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in cell structure and function are discussed together with an overview of the major metabolic fates of [alpha]-linolenic acid. The extent of partitioning towards [beta]-oxidation and carbon recycling in humans is described. The use and limitations of stable isotope tracers to estimate [alpha]-linolenic acid desaturation and elongation are discussed. A consensus view of the extent of [alpha]-linolenic acid conversion to longer-chain fatty acids in humans is presented. The extent to which increasing dietary [alpha]-linolenic acid intake alters the concentrations of longer-chain n-3 fatty acids is described. The biological and nutritional implications of these findings are discussed.
Recent findings: Conversion of [alpha]-linolenic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid is limited in men and further transformation to docosahexaenoic acid is very low. A lower proportion of [alpha]-linolenic acid is used as a substrate for [beta]-oxidation in women compared with men, while the fractional conversion to longer-chain fatty acids is greater, possibly due to the regulatory effects of oestrogen.
Summary: Overall, [alpha]-linolenic acid appears to be a limited source of longer-chain n-3 fatty acids in man and so adequate intakes of preformed n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular docosahexaenoic acid, may be important for maintaining optimal tissue function. Capacity to upregulate [alpha]-linolenic acid transformation in women may be important for meeting the demands of the fetus and neonate for docosahexaenoic acid.
137-144
Burdge, Graham
09d60a07-8ca1-4351-9bf1-de6ffcfb2159
Burdge, Graham
09d60a07-8ca1-4351-9bf1-de6ffcfb2159

Burdge, Graham (2004) [alpha]-Linolenic acid metabolism in men and women: nutritional and biological implications. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, 7 (2), 137-144.

Record type: Article

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review critically evaluates current knowledge of [alpha]-linolenic acid metabolism in adult humans based on the findings of studies using stable isotope tracers and on increased dietary [alpha]-linolenic acid intake. The relative roles of [alpha]-linolenic acid and of longer-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in cell structure and function are discussed together with an overview of the major metabolic fates of [alpha]-linolenic acid. The extent of partitioning towards [beta]-oxidation and carbon recycling in humans is described. The use and limitations of stable isotope tracers to estimate [alpha]-linolenic acid desaturation and elongation are discussed. A consensus view of the extent of [alpha]-linolenic acid conversion to longer-chain fatty acids in humans is presented. The extent to which increasing dietary [alpha]-linolenic acid intake alters the concentrations of longer-chain n-3 fatty acids is described. The biological and nutritional implications of these findings are discussed.
Recent findings: Conversion of [alpha]-linolenic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid is limited in men and further transformation to docosahexaenoic acid is very low. A lower proportion of [alpha]-linolenic acid is used as a substrate for [beta]-oxidation in women compared with men, while the fractional conversion to longer-chain fatty acids is greater, possibly due to the regulatory effects of oestrogen.
Summary: Overall, [alpha]-linolenic acid appears to be a limited source of longer-chain n-3 fatty acids in man and so adequate intakes of preformed n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular docosahexaenoic acid, may be important for maintaining optimal tissue function. Capacity to upregulate [alpha]-linolenic acid transformation in women may be important for meeting the demands of the fetus and neonate for docosahexaenoic acid.

This record has no associated files available for download.

More information

Published date: 2004

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 25293
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/25293
PURE UUID: b82cbf77-c755-4f32-a53f-61f6ad8b881f
ORCID for Graham Burdge: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-7665-2967

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 07 Apr 2006
Last modified: 12 Dec 2021 02:43

Export record

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×