Abstract
BackgroundPlant and marine n-3 fatty acids (FA) may favorably modify select markers of cardiovascular disease risk. Whether supplementing the habitual diet of lacto-ovo-vegetarians (LOV) with walnuts (containing α-linolenic acid, ALA) and n-3 FA enriched eggs (containing primarily docosahexaenoic acid, DHA and ALA) would have equivalent effects on CVD risk factors is explored in this study.MethodsIn this study, 20 healthy free-living LOVs following their habitual diet were randomly assigned in a crossover design to receive one of three supplements: n-3 FA enriched egg (6/week), walnuts (28.4 g, 6/week) or a standard egg, 6/week (control) for 8 weeks each with 4-wk washout between treatments. Erythrocyte membrane fatty acids, serum lipids and inflammatory markers were measured at the end of each treatment.ResultsDietary compliance was observed by an expected increase in erythrocyte membrane ALA following the walnut treatment and in DHA following the n-3 FA enriched egg treatment. Walnut treatment lowered serum triacylglycerol, total cholesterol and Apo B (p < 0.05) compared to the standard egg but not the n-3 FA enriched egg treatment. However, walnut treatment significantly reduced total: HDL cholesterol ratio compared to both egg treatments. There were no differences between treatments for any of the inflammatory markers.ConclusionsFor LOV, a direct source of DHA such as n-3 FA enriched eggs seems necessary to increase membrane levels of DHA. However for producing an overall favorable blood lipid profile, daily consumption of a handful of walnuts rich in ALA may be a preferred option for lacto-ovo vegetarian.
Highlights
Plant and marine n-3 fatty acids (FA) may favorably modify select markers of cardiovascular disease risk
Some studies have looked at the effect of feeding n-3 fatty acid enriched eggs on blood lipids, but none have compared the effects of acid α-linolenic acid (ALA)-rich walnuts with that of n-3 fatty acid enriched egg on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors especially among LOVs
Baseline values for the variables are not shown in tables as this is a crossover study design where the comparison between each treatment is more relevant than comparison to baseline; the baseline-adjusted analyses was carried out utilizing fixed covariates representing the period baseline and the subject-average period baselines were added to the mixed-effects model for serum lipids, inflammatory markers and erythrocyte membrane fatty acid analysis
Summary
Participants Healthy LOV subjects were recruited from southern California via a multistage screening process with community advertisements through local newspapers and flyers. Participants were asked to follow their habitual diet and add the treatment food as a supplement They were randomly assigned to n-3 fatty acid enriched egg (6/wk), walnuts (28.4 g, 6x/wk) or standard egg, 6/wk (control). Erythrocyte membrane fatty acids, blood lipids and inflammatory factors data were analyzed by using mixed linear models that included fixed terms for treatment and period, and a random term for subjects. Baseline values for the variables are not shown in tables as this is a crossover study design where the comparison between each treatment is more relevant than comparison to baseline; the baseline-adjusted analyses was carried out utilizing fixed covariates representing the period baseline and the subject-average period baselines were added to the mixed-effects model for serum lipids, inflammatory markers and erythrocyte membrane fatty acid analysis
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call