Plant-based Fatty Acid Food Supplement Can Increase Erythrocyte omega-3-index (P06-012-19)

Abstract

ObjectivesVia a randomized controlled clinical trial we evaluated whether 0.5 g or 1 g of omega-3-fatty acids from a plant-based food supplement (Juice Plus+® OMEGA Blend) could increase erythrocyte omega-3-index in healthy adult subjects. MethodsAfter a 4-week wash out from food supplements and a 4-week run in to harmonize intake of dietary w-3 fatty acids, we conducted a controlled, randomized, open-labelled, parallel-grouped, clinical trial. 80 healthy adults from Austria, Europe, were randomized to four groups: a) control group, just adhering to the habitual diet; b) two capsules/day of the plant-based fatty acid supplement matching 0.5 g of w-3-fatty acids; c) four capsules/day of the plant-based fatty acid supplement matching 1 g of w-3-fatty acids; and d) four capsules of the plant-based fatty acid supplement and 6 capsules/day of a powdered, encapsulated, fruit, berry and vegetable juice concentrate (Juice Plus+® PREMIUM). Blood samples were collected at baseline, after 8 weeks, and after 16 weeks intervention with the food supplement(s). Results68 subjects (39.43 ± 12.28 years, 33 female, 35 male) completed the intervention. Baseline data on w-3-index revealed that the average w-3-index of the investigated groups was already higher than expected (mean value: 7.8%). Nevertheless, the intervention with the commercially available and plant-based fatty acid food supplement increased erythrocyte w-3-index significantly in all intervention groups (p < 0.001), after 8 weeks (mean values increased from 7.8% into a range from 10.4% to 11.1%) as well as after 16 weeks (mean values increased from 7.8% into a range from 11.7% to 14.4%). In all intervention groups the w-3-index was also significantly different from control (p < 0.001), after 8 weeks as well as after 16 weeks. No significant differences in w-3-index were detected between intervention groups after 8 and 16 weeks. ConclusionsThese data demonstrate that the intake of only 0.5 g/day of a plant-based w-3 fatty acid food supplement from algae and berry seeds is able to increase the w-3-index of a well-nourished, healthy cohort significantly only after 8 weeks. Funding SourcesThe Juice Plus+® Science Institute received funding by the Juice Plus+® Company for this project.