Abstract
Epidemiological evidence of an inverse association between consumption of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) and obesity has been conflicting, even though studies in animal models of obesity and limited human trials suggest that LC n-3 PUFA consumption may contribute to weight loss. We used baseline data from a convenience sample of 476 adults (291 women, 185 men) participating in clinical trials at our Centre to explore relationships between erythrocyte levels of LC n-3 PUFA (a reliable indicator of habitual intake) and measures of adiposity, viz. body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and body fat (BF) assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Means ± SD of assessments were BMI: 34 ± 7 and 31 ± 5 kg/m2; WC: 105 ± 16 and 110 ± 13 cm; BF: 48 ± 5 and 35% ± 6% in women and men respectively. Erythrocyte levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were similar in men and women while docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) was higher and EPA + DHA (Omega-3 Index) slightly lower in men than in women. Both DHA and EPA + DHA correlated inversely with BMI, WC and BF in women while DPA correlated inversely with BF in men. Quartile distributions and curvilinear regression of the Omega-3 Index versus BMI revealed a steep rise of BMI in the lower range of the Omega-3 Index in women, but no association in men. Thus the results highlight important gender differences in relationships of specific LC n-3 PUFA in erythrocytes to markers of adiposity. If these reflect causal relationships between LC n-3 PUFA consumption and risk of obesity, gender specific targeted interventions should be considered.
Highlights
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are known to beneficially influence fat metabolism and there are numerous studies in animal models of obesity showing that consumption of PUFA, the long-chain omega-3 (LC n-3) PUFA from marine sources, can increase fat loss and counteract adiposity [1,2]
PUFA levels in erythrocytes and adiposity in humans [14]. They extend previous research by revealing a primary role for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in this relationship. They highlight a striking gender difference, whereby the association of DHA with lower adiposity was evident in women only; men, on the other hand, tended to show an inverse association between erythrocyte docosapentaenoic acid (DPA)
It was apparent that erythrocyte eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) had little relationship with adiposity
Summary
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are known to beneficially influence fat metabolism and there are numerous studies in animal models of obesity showing that consumption of PUFA, the long-chain omega-3 (LC n-3) PUFA from marine sources, can increase fat loss and counteract adiposity [1,2]. This has been supported by a limited number of human trials of LC n-3 PUFA supplementation [1,2,3], epidemiological evidence of an inverse association between consumption of LC n-3 PUFA and obesity has been conflicting [4,5]. We have sought to explore potential gender differences in such relationships
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