Dietary Sources Of Docosahexaenoic Acid Research Articles

The association between first-trimester omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and fetal growth trajectories

Prenatal omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, particularly docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, has been associated with greater birthweight in clinical trials; however, its effect on fetal growth throughout gestation is unknown. This study aimed to examine the association between first-trimester docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation and growth trajectories of estimated fetal weight and specific fetal biometrics measured longitudinally from the second trimester of pregnancy to delivery. In a multisite, prospective cohort of racially diverse, low-risk pregnant women, we used secondary data analysis to examine fetal growth trajectories in relation to self-reported (yes or no) first-trimester docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation. Fetal ultrasonographic measurements, including abdominal circumference, biparietal diameter, femur length, head circumference, and humerus length, were measured at enrollment (8-13 weeks) and up to 5 follow-up visits. Estimated fetal weight and head circumference-to-abdominal circumference ratio (a measure of growth symmetry) were calculated. Fetal growth trajectories were modeled for each measure using a linear mixed model with cubic splines. If significant differences in fetal growth trajectories between groups were observed (global P<.05), weekly comparisons were performed to determine when in gestation these differences emerged. Analyses were adjusted for maternal sociodemographics, parity, infant sex, total energy consumption, and diet quality score. All analyses were repeated using dietary docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid intake, dichotomized at the recommended cutoff for pregnant and lactating women (≥0.25 vs <0.25 g/d), among women who did not report supplement intake in the first trimester of pregnancy were repeated. Among 1535 women, 143 (9%) reported docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation in the first trimester of pregnancy. Overall, first-trimester docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation was associated with statistically significant differences (P-value <.05) in fetal growth trajectories during pregnancy. Specifically, estimated fetal weight was larger among women with docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation than among those without supplementation (global P=.028) with significant weekly differences in median estimated fetal weight most apparent between 38 to 41 weeks of gestation (median estimated fetal weight difference at 40 weeks of gestation, 114 g). Differences in fetal growth trajectories for abdominal circumference (P=.003), head circumference (P=.003), and head circumference-to-abdominal circumference ratio (P=.0004) were also identified by supplementation status. In weekly comparisons, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid supplement use was associated with larger median abdominal circumference (changed from 2 to 9 mm) in midpregnancy onward (19 to 41 weeks), larger median head circumference between 30 to 33 weeks of gestation, and smaller median head circumference-to-abdominal circumference ratio in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. There was no specific weekly difference in fetal femur length or humerus length by docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation. First-trimester dietary sources of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid among women with no first-trimester docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation (n=1392) were associated with differences in fetal biparietal diameter (P=.043), but not other metrics of fetal growth. At the recommended dietary docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid levels compared with below-recommended levels, biparietal diameter was larger between 38 to 41 weeks of gestation. In this racially diverse pregnancy cohort, first-trimester docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation was associated with significant increases in fetal growth, specifically greater estimated fetal abdominal circumference in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

DHA content in milk and biohydrogenation pathway in rumen: a review.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential human nutrient that may promote neural health and development. DHA occurs naturally in milk in concentrations that are influenced by many factors, including the dietary intake of the cow and the rumen microbiome. We reviewed the literature of milk DHA content and the biohydrogenation pathway in rumen of dairy cows aim to enhance the DHA content. DHA in milk is mainly derived from two sources: α-linolenic acid (ALA) occurring in the liver and consumed as part of the diet, and overall dietary intake. Rumen biohydrogenation, the lymphatic system, and blood circulation influence the movement of dietary intake of DHA into the milk supply. Rumen biohydrogenation reduces DHA in ruminal environmental and limits DHA incorporation into milk. The fat-1 gene may increase DHA uptake into the body but this lacks experimental confirmation. Additional studies are needed to define the mechanisms by which different dietary sources of DHA are associated with variations of DHA in milk, the pathway of DHA biohydrogenation in the rumen, and the function of the fat-1 gene on DHA supply in dairy cows.

THE EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTATION OF MICROALGAE SCHIZOCHYTRIUM SP. AS A SOURCE OF DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID (DHA) ON DOGS WITH NATURALLY OCCURRING GINGIVITIS

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the microalgae Schizochytrium sp., as a dietary source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on dogs with gingivitis. Two diets containing 0 and 0.4% of microalgae Schizochytrium sp. were offered for 30 days to 12 randomly distributed adult Beagles to determine gingivitis. Gingivitis score and area were analyzed on days 0 and 30. Prior to the analysis, the area was gently cleaned with cotton wool on the surface of the crown of the teeth. There was no change in the gingivitis score (P>0.05). However, there was a reduction (P<0.05) in the area affected by gingivitis (day 30 - day 0) in animals supplemented with 0.4% microalgae Schizochytrium sp. The addition of 0.4% dietary microalgae reduced the area of gingivitis on dogs.

Microalgae Schizochytrium sp. as a source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): Effects on diet digestibility, oxidation and palatability and on immunity and inflammatory indices in dogs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the microalgae Schizochytrium sp., as a dietary source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on diet palatability, coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients and metabolizable energy (ME), blood variables and indicators of immunity in dogs. We also evaluated oxidative stability. Two diets containing 0 and 0.4% of microalgae Schizochytrium sp. were evaluated in three experiments. On Experiment I the palatability of diets containing 0% versus 0.4% microalgae was compared. In Experiment II test diets were offered for 30days to determine digestibility, fecal characteristics, and blood parameters. In Experiment III, the oxidative stability of diets containing microalgae versus anchovy oil was evaluated. There was a higher intake ratio of the diet containing microalgae (p<.05). The ME and CTTAD of nutrients increased (p<.05), except for ether extract after acid hydrolysis, with the inclusion of the microalgae in diet. The amount of monocytes and phagocytic granulocytes was higher (p<.05) in dogs fed 0.4% microalgae. There was greater oxidative stability for the sample containing microalgae. The addition of 0.4% microalgae presented high palatability, increased phagocytic cell numbers, and demonstrated oxidative stability superior to anchovy oil.

PSXIII-11 A Crossover Target Animal Safety Study of Unextracted Aurantiochytrium Microalgal Biomass (AURA) as a Dietary Source of Docosahexaenoic Acid in Mature Dogs.

PSXIII-11 A Crossover Target Animal Safety Study of Unextracted Aurantiochytrium Microalgal Biomass (AURA) as a Dietary Source of Docosahexaenoic Acid in Mature Dogs.

Role of phosphatidylcholine-DHA in preventing APOE4-associated Alzheimer's disease.

Dietary and supplemental intake of the ω-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) reduces risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and ameliorates symptoms. The apolipoprotein E (APOE)4 allele is the strongest risk factor for sporadic AD, exclusive of age. APOE4 carriers respond well to the DHA present in fish but do not respond as well to dietary supplements. The mechanisms behind this varied response remain unknown. I posit that the difference is that fish contain DHA in phospholipid form, whereas fish oil supplements do not. This influences whether DHA is metabolized to nonesterified DHA (free DHA) or a phospholipid form called lysophosphatidylcholine DHA (DHA-lysoPC). Free DHA is transported across the outer membrane leaflet of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) via passive diffusion, and DHA-lysoPC is transported across the inner membrane leaflet of the BBB via the major facilitator superfamily domain-containing protein 2A. I propose that APOE4 carriers have impaired brain transport of free DHA but not of DHA-lysoPC, as a consequence of a breakdown in the outer membrane leaflet of the BBB, putting them at increased risk for AD. Dietary sources of DHA in phospholipid form may provide a means to increase plasma levels of DHA-lysoPC, thereby decreasing the risk of AD.—Patrick, R. P. Role of phosphatidylcholine-DHA in preventing APOE4-associated Alzheimer’s disease.

The oil-rich alga Schizochytrium sp. as a dietary source of docosahexaenoic acid improves shape discrimination learning associated with visual processing in a canine model of senescence

Whole cell Schizochytrium sp. is a rich source of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an important nutrient for brain health. Aged beagle dogs experienced on a visuospatial task of working memory, variable-delay delayed-non-matching-to-position were used to assess efficacy of DHA-rich microalgae based upon DHA wt% of total phospholipids and 8-iso-PGF2α concentrations in plasma, and performance on cognitive assessments of visual object discrimination, learning, and memory consolidation after 25 weeks on fortified diet.Improved DHA status (p<0.001) and initial learning of the protocols for visual and variable contrast discrimination (p<0.05), but not long-term recall of the concurrent discrimination task were observed in animals fed the algal-fortified diet. Overall, results were consistent with dried Schizochytrium sp. as a source of n-3 LCPUFA nutrition to support DHA status in large mammals, and healthy brain function in a canine model of senescence.

Producing the omega‐3 fatty acids DHA and EPA in oilseed crops

AbstractThere is increasing consumer demand for the omega‐3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) because of their well‐recognized benefits for human health and the observation that current western diets are deficient in these important polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). This has led to the need for additional cost‐effective and sustainable dietary sources of DHA and EPA beyond the traditional resource, oceanic fish. Recent advances in plant biotechnology have shown that DHA and EPA can be produced in vegetable oils using two approaches involving different sets of genes. One approach incorporates genes that direct sequential rounds of desaturation and elongation of native plant fatty acids. The other approach uses microalgal PUFA synthase genes to make DHA de novo without the need for native fatty acid precursors. These strategies offer the potential for sustainable production methods for DHA and EPA via land‐based oilseed crops.

Eggs of free-range hens in northern Nigeria are a good source of docosahexaenoic acid for pregnant and lactating women

Background/Purpose : Although docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is critical for the normal development of the central nervous system, especially in utero and during the 1st year of life, the concentration of this important polyunsaturated fatty acid in the milk fat of Nigerian women is low relative to international standards. There is a compelling need to identify dietary sources of DHA for pregnant and lactating women in sub.Saharan Africa and elsewhere in the world where populations live inland far from the sea and therefore lack access to DHA-rich ocean fish. Henfs eggs represent a potentially useful source of DHA. Methodology : Since the DHA content of eggs varies greatly with the henfs diet and knowing from studies elsewhere in the world that free-range (FR) hens produce eggs enriched for DHA, we compared the fatty acid compositions of the yolk of eggs from FR and gcommercialh hens in northern Nigeria. Results : The percentage of DHA in the FR eggs was 2.6-fold higher (P < 0.001) compared to commercial eggs. Two FR eggs per day could satisfy about three.fourths of the daily recommended intake of DHA for pregnant and lactating women. The FR eggs also contained 2.8-fold (P < 0.001) more α-linolenic acid, more than 10-fold more eicosapentaenoic acid, and 4.1-fold more of the healthful conjugated linoleic acids than commercial eggs. Conclusion : Eggs produced by FR hens could be useful in improving the fatty acid nutrition of pregnant and lactating women in Nigeria, and ultimately their infants who derive much of their nutrition from breast milk. Keywords : Conjugated linoleic acids, docosahexaenoic acid, n.3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, Nigeria, yolk lipids, α-linolenic acid

Canola oil is protective against macrophage infiltration into subcutaneous adipose tissue of swine

Omega 3 fatty acids (FA) possess anti‐inflammatory properties and attenuate inflammatory events linked to obesity, including macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue. The anti‐inflammatory properties of dietary n‐3 fatty acids (FA) have been primarily attributed to dietary sources of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). However, the potential benefit of dietary α‐linolenic acid (αLA) to alleviate inflammation has not been determined. We hypothesized that EPA and DHA production from dietary αLA metabolism would be sufficient to attenuate inflammation in pigs fed a high fat diet. Pigs were fed a diet containing either 25.4% canola oil, 28% lard, or 0.5% canola and 0.5% lard (control) for 11 weeks. Gas chromatography detected EPA and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) in the liver tissue of the canola and control diet fed pigs. EPA was also in the subcutaneous (SQ) adipose tissue of pigs fed canola oil. DHA was not detected in any tissue. Macrophage infiltration was assessed based on expression of the porcine macrophage specific gene swine workshop cluster 3 (SWC3) as determined by quantitative PCR. SWC3 transcript abundance in SQ adipose tissue was lower in pigs fed the canola oil vs. those fed the lard (p=0.04) or control (p=0.03) diets. These data suggest that a diet rich in αLA creates a tissue specific fatty acid profile that protects against the infiltration of macrophages into SQ adipose tissue.Grant Funding SourceIowa State University

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Supplementation of Orange Juice Increases Plasma Phospholipid DHA Content of Children

The major dietary source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is fish, which is not widely consumed by children. There is concern, therefore, that children may not receive adequate DHA and so might benefit from dietary supplementation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of providing a supplement of microencapsulated algal DHA in juice. We assessed the effects of two levels of DHA supplementation on the plasma phospholipid DHA content of healthy 4- to 6-year-old and 7- to 12-year-old children who were randomly assigned to consume 180 mL juice containing either 50 mg (lower dose) or 100 mg (higher dose) DHA daily for 6 weeks. Plasma phospholipid DHA content (mole % of total fatty acids) was measured before and after 6 weeks of daily juice consumption. Because there are no data for plasma phospholipid DHA content in healthy children, data were compared to that of breastfed infants. At baseline, plasma phospholipid DHA content was lower in both age groups and dose groups than observed in breastfed infants. It increased significantly in both dose groups, but more so in the higher dose group of both age groups ( P<0.05, overall mean±standard deviation: 3.72±0.66 vs 4.64±0.77); reaching levels similar to or greater than content of breastfed infants. Thus, DHA supplementation of juice at either 50 mg/day or 100 mg/day for 6 weeks was effective in increasing plasma phospholipid DHA contents of children.

Genotoxicity and subchronic toxicity studies of DHA-rich oil in rats

Polyunsaturated fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are natural constituents of the human diet. DHA-algal oil is produced through the use of the non-toxigenic and non-pathogenic marine protist, Ulkenia sp. The safety of DHA-algal oil was assessed in a subchronic toxicity study and in genotoxicity studies. In a 90-day study, rats were orally administered water or DHA-algal oil at concentrations of 0, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg in combination with 2000, 1500, 1000 or 0 mg/kg DHA-containing fish oil, respectively. Additional animals were administered water, 2000 mg/kg DHA-algal oil, or 2000 mg/kg fish oil for 90 days, followed by a 4-week recovery phase. No treatment-related effects were observed in clinical observations, food and water consumption, mortality, gross pathology, and histopathology. Increased body weights and liver weights in oil-treated groups were attributed to the large lipid load and were not regarded as toxicologically significant. Furthermore, no treatment-related differences in the measured parameters between the DHA-algal oil and fish oil groups were detected. In genotoxicity experiments, DHA-algal oil exerted no mutagenic activity in various bacterial strains, nor did it induce chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster fibroblast cells. These results support the safety of DHA-algal oil as a dietary source of DHA.

Inadequate Maternal Docosahexaenoic Acid Intake in Lactating Women

Text: Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essential for infant neural and retinal development. Maternal DHA intake impacts the fatty acid composition of breast milk. Many American women do not regularly consume fatty fish, which is the primary source of omega-3. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have advised pregnant and nursing women to limit their seafood intake to a varied 12 ounces per week because of the high levels of the neurotoxin, mercury, found in some fish. If lactating women drastically limit fatty fish intake, their milk may not meet the needs of their infants, even with maternal supplementation. We obtained multiple 24-hour dietary recalls from healthy lactating women (N 85) using Nutrition Data Systems for Research software. Maternal DHA intake was compared to the current Adequate Intake (AI, 300 mg/d). Very few (4%) in our sample met the AI, although intakes were higher among women (n 7) who consumed a DHA supplement (239.9 105.9 mg/d) than those who did not (53.2 90 mg/d, p 0.0003). The most common dietary sources of DHA were: salmon, catfish, tuna, shrimp, and eggs. Nursing mothers who do not meet the AI may not meet the needs of their breast fed infants, which may have future implications on their development. Following the FDA/EPA guideline does not guarantee that nursing mothers will meet the AI. Registered Dietitians should encourage nursing mothers to consume fatty fish as endorsed by the FDA/EPA, and when necessary to supplement with DHA.