High Intake Of Eicosapentaenoic Acid Research Articles

Habitual Fish Consumption, n-3 Fatty Acids, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Lipoprotein Subfractions in Women.

BackgroundSupplementation with omega‐3 (n‐3) fatty acid or dietary fish may protect against atherosclerosis, but the potential mechanisms are unclear. Prior studies found modest triglyceride‐lowering effects and slight increases in LDL (low‐density lipoprotein) cholesterol. Limited evidence has examined n‐3 effects on more detailed lipoprotein biomarkers.Methods and ResultsWe conducted a study of 26 034 healthy women who reported information on fish and n‐3 intake from a 131‐item food‐frequency questionnaire. We measured plasma lipids, apolipoproteins, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy lipoproteins and examined their associations with dietary intake of fish, total n‐3, and the n‐3 subtypes (eicosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic, and α‐linolenic acids). Top‐ versus bottom‐quintile intake of fish and n‐3 were significantly associated with lower triglyceride and large VLDL (very‐low‐density lipoprotein) particles. Fish intake, but not total n‐3, was positively associated with total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and larger LDL size, but only α‐linolenic acid was associated with lower LDL cholesterol. Total n‐3, docosahexaenoic acid, and α‐linolenic acid intake were also positively associated with larger HDL (high‐density lipoprotein) size and large HDL particles. High eicosapentaenoic acid intake was significantly associated with only a decreased level of VLDL particle concentration and VLDL triglyceride content. The n‐3 fatty acids had some similarities but also differed in their associations with prospective cardiovascular disease risk patterns.ConclusionsHigher consumption of fish and n‐3 fatty acids were associated with multiple measures of lipoproteins that were mostly consistent with cardiovascular prevention, with differences noted for high intake of eicosapentaenoic acid versus docosahexaenoic acid and α‐linolenic acid that were apparent with more detailed lipoprotein phenotyping. These hypothesis‐generating findings warrant further study in clinical trials.Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00000479.

Higher intake of dietary n-3 PUFA and lower MUFA are associated with fewer menopausal symptoms

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary fat quality and menopausal symptoms.Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study with 393 Iranian postmenopausal women. Dietary intakes and menopausal symptoms were assessed, using a validated food frequency questionnaire and a menopausal rating scale (MRS) questionnaire, respectively. Participants were divided into low and high total MRS and its domain scores.Results: Women in the highest quartiles of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) had higher somatic symptoms compared with women in the lowest quartile (odds ratio [OR] 3.41; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17–9.95). Women in the highest quartiles of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.32–1.05), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.37–1.20), and n-3:n-6 PUFA ratio (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.25–0.97) had lower somatic symptoms compared to the lowest quartiles. The OR for psychological symptoms decreased from the lowest to the highest quartiles of n-3 PUFA (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.20–1.11) and n-3:n-6 PUFA ratio (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.24–0.86). Higher intakes of EPA (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.29–0.99) and docosahexaenoic acid (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.27–0.95) were found to be related with fewer urogenital symptoms.Conclusion: Consuming diets low in MUFA intake, but high in n-3 PUFA, and with a more favorable ratio of n-3:n-6 PUFA may be helpful for improving menopausal symptoms.

Dietary Intakes of Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid and Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

To evaluate the associations between intakes of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and the intermediate and advanced stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Prospective cohort study. We followed 75 889 women from the Nurses' Health Study and 38 961 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study who were at least 50 years old, from 1984 to 2012 and 1986 to 2010, respectively. Cohort participants are mostly white (≥95%). We assessed dietary intake by a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at baseline and every 4 years. We calculated cumulative average intakes of EPA and DHA from FFQs and also computed predicted erythrocyte and plasma scores directly from food intake using regression models. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compute the associations with AMD outcomes. We confirmed 1589 incident intermediate and 1356 advanced AMD cases (primarily neovascular AMD) with a visual acuity of 20/30 or worse, owing primarily to AMD, by medical record review. For intermediate AMD, the pooled hazard ratio (HR) between the 2 cohorts for DHA comparing the extreme quintiles of intake was 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66-0.92; P trend, 0.008) and for EPA+ DHA was 0.83 (95% CI, 0.71-0.98; P trend, 0.03). The pooled HR for fatty fish, comparing ≥5 servings per week to almost never, was 0.61 (95% CI, 0.46-0.81; P trend, <0.001). For advanced AMD, the pooled HR for DHA was 1.01 (95% CI, 0.84-1.21; P trend, 0.75) and for fatty fish was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.59-1.08; P trend, 0.11). Secondary analyses using predicted erythrocyte and plasma scores of EPA and DHA yielded slightly stronger inverse associations for intermediate AMD and similar results for advanced AMD. Higher intakes of EPA and DHA may prevent or delay the occurrence of visually significant intermediate AMD. However, the totality of current evidence for EPA and DHA and advanced AMD is discordant, though there was no association with advanced AMD in the present study.

U.S. adults are not meeting recommended levels for fish and omega-3 fatty acid intake: results of an analysis using observational data from NHANES 2003-2008.

BackgroundThe American Heart Association’s Strategic Impact Goal Through 2020 and Beyond recommends ≥ two 3.5-oz fish servings per week (preferably oily fish) partly to increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). We examined the intake of total fish, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, α-linolenic acid, EPA, and DHA in U.S. adults (19 + years) using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003–2008.MethodsUsual intakes from foods alone and from foods plus dietary supplements were determined using the methods from the National Cancer Institute.ResultsMean usual intake of total fish and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids was 0.61 ± 0.03 and 0.15 ± 0.03 oz/day, 0.43 and 0.07 respectively. Total fish and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids median intake was 0.43 and 0.07 oz/day, respectively. Intake from foods alone for ALA, EPA and DHA was 1.5 ± 0.01 g/d, 23 ± 7 mg/d and 63 ± 2 mg/d, respectively. ALA, EPA and DHA from food only median intakes were 1.4 g/d, 18 mg/d and 50 mg/d, respectively. Intake of ALA, EPA and DHA from foods and dietary supplements was 1.6 ± 0.04 g/d, 41 ± 4 mg/d and 72 ± 4 mg/d, respectively. While intakes of fish high in omega-3 fatty acids were higher in older adults (0.13 ± 0.01 oz/d for those 19–50 yrs and 0.19 ± 0.02 oz/d for those 51+ year; p < 0.01) and in males as compared to females (0.18 ± 0.02 vs 0.13 ± 0.01 oz/d, respectively; p < 0.05), few consumed recommended levels. Males also had higher (p < 0.05) intake of EPA and DHA from foods and dietary supplements relative to females (44 ± 6 vs 39 ± 4 and 90 ± 7 vs 59 ± 4 mg/d, respectively) and older adults had higher intakes of EPA, but not DHA compared to younger adults (EPA: 34 ± 3 vs 58 ± 9, p < 0.05; DHA: 68 ± 4 vs 81 ± 6, p < 0.05).ConclusionsAs omega-3 fatty acids are deemed important from authoritative bodies, supplementation in addition to food sources may need to be considered to help U.S. adults meet recommendations.

ELOVL2 gene polymorphisms are associated with increases in plasma eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid proportions after fish oil supplement

Fish oil supplementation provides an inconsistent degree of protection from cardiovascular disease (CVD), which may be attributed to genetic variation. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the elongation-of-very-long-chain-fatty-acids-2 (ELOVL2) gene have been strongly associated with plasma proportions of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA). We investigated the effect of genotype interaction with fish oil dosage on plasma n-3 LC-PUFA proportions in a parallel double-blind controlled trial, involving 367 subjects randomised to treatment with 0.45, 0.9 and 1.8g/day eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (1.51:1) or olive oil placebo for 6months. We genotyped 310 subjects for ELOVL2 gene SNPs rs3734398, rs2236212 and rs953413. At baseline, carriers of all minor alleles had lower proportions of plasma DHA than non-carriers (P=0.021-0.030). Interaction between genotype and treatment was a significant determinant of plasma EPA (P<0.0001) and DHA (P=0.004-0.032). After the 1.8g/day dose, carriers of ELOVL2 SNP minor alleles had approximately 30% higher proportions of EPA (P=0.002-0.004) and 9% higher DHA (P=0.013-0.017) than non-carriers. Minor allele carriers could therefore particularly benefit from a high intake of EPA and DHA in maintaining high levels of plasma n-3 PUFA conducive to protection from CVD.

Restriction of meat, fish, and poultry in omnivores improves mood: A pilot randomized controlled trial

BackgroundOmnivorous diets are high in arachidonic acid (AA) compared to vegetarian diets. Research shows that high intakes of AA promote changes in brain that can disturb mood. Omnivores who eat fish regularly increase their intakes of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fats that oppose the negative effects of AA in vivo. In a recent cross-sectional study, omnivores reported significantly worse mood than vegetarians despite higher intakes of EPA and DHA. This study investigated the impact of restricting meat, fish, and poultry on mood.FindingsThirty-nine omnivores were randomly assigned to a control group consuming meat, fish, and poultry daily (OMN); a group consuming fish 3-4 times weekly but avoiding meat and poultry (FISH), or a vegetarian group avoiding meat, fish, and poultry (VEG). At baseline and after two weeks, participants completed a food frequency questionnaire, the Profile of Mood States questionnaire and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales. After the diet intervention, VEG participants reduced their EPA, DHA, and AA intakes, while FISH participants increased their EPA and DHA intakes. Mood scores were unchanged for OMN or FISH participants, but several mood scores for VEG participants improved significantly after two weeks.ConclusionsRestricting meat, fish, and poultry improved some domains of short-term mood state in modern omnivores. To our knowledge, this is the first trial to examine the impact of restricting meat, fish, and poultry on mood state in omnivores.

Long chain n-3 fatty acids intake, fish consumption and suicide in a cohort of Japanese men and women — The Japan Public Health Center-based (JPHC) Prospective Study

Objective Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been implicated as protective against suicide. However, it is uncertain whether a higher intake of EPA and DHA or of fish, a major source of these nutrients, lowers suicidal risk among Japanese, whose fish consumption and suicide rate are both high. This study prospectively examined the relation between fish, EPA, or DHA intake and suicide among Japanese men and women. Method Subjects were 47,351 men and 54,156 women aged 40–69 years who participated in the JPHC Study, completed a food frequency questionnaire in 1995–1999, and were followed for death through December 2005. We used the Cox proportional hazards regression model to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for suicide by quintile of intake. Results A total of 213 and 85 deaths from suicide were recorded during 403,019 and 473,351 person-years of follow-up for men and women, respectively. Higher intakes of fish, EPA, or DHA were not associated with a lower risk of suicide. Multivariate HRs (95% CI) of suicide death for the highest versus lowest quintile of fish consumption were 0.95 (0.60–1.49) and 1.20 (0.58–2.47) for men and women, respectively. A significantly increased risk of suicidal death was observed among women with very low intake of fish, with HRs (95% CI) for those in 0–5th percentile versus middle quintile of 3.41 (1.36–8.51). Conclusions Our overall result does not support a protective role of higher intake of fish, EPA, or DHA against suicide in Japanese men and women.

The use of eicosapentaenoic acid in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome

There is evidence that there is an association between chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition of unknown aetiology, and essential fatty acids. This evidence is based on the actions of essential fatty acids, the results of proton neurospectroscopy studies, and essential fatty acid trial data. A series of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome were treated solely with a high-eicosapentaenoic acid-containing essential fatty acid supplement. All showed improvement in their symptomatology within eight to 12 weeks. These results, which are consistent with a recent detailed report of cerebral and clinical changes associated with a high intake of eicosapentaenoic acid, suggest that this n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid may offer the hope of effective treatment for at least some patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

The influence of the dietary intake of fatty acids and antioxidants on hay fever in adults.

The objective of the investigation was to explore in a prospective study the associations between dietary intake of fatty acids, antioxidants and hay fever manifestation in adulthood. Three hundred and thirty-four hay fever cases with adult onset of clinical symptoms from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Heidelberg cohort were identified during follow-up and matched with 1336 controls. Dietary intake data were obtained by means of validated food frequency questionnaires. The influence of dietary fatty acid and vitamin intake on hay fever risk was estimated by means of unconditional logistic regression. High intake of oleic acid was positively associated with hay fever [odds ratio (OR): 2.86, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 1.22-6.70], whereas high intake of eicosapentaenoic acid was inversely related to hay fever (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.22-0.93). Furthermore, high beta-carotene intake increased the risk of hay fever (OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.09-2.63) while increasing intake of vitamin E was a protective factor (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.17-0.85). In grouped analyses, the effects of beta-carotene and vitamin E were mainly observed among women and ex-/current-smokers; in these subgroups, linoleic acid increased the risk of hay fever. In conclusion, the present results provide further evidence that dietary factors might affect the risk of clinical manifestation of hay fever. However, the effects in smokers and women may suggest different biological mechanisms for the investigated nutrients, which need further research.

Formation of a novel class of F3-isoprostanes during peroxidation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Accumulating data suggest that dietary supplementation of fish oils rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA) increases susceptibility of isolated low density lipoprotein (LDL) to peroxidation1–4. Oxidative modication of LDL may contribute to tissue damage through cytotoxic reactions with endothelial cells or through further reactions to generate “modified” LDL which is selectively accummulated by “scavenger” receptors5. Therefore, concern has been raised with respect to the high intake of EPA and DHA in numerous trials in the prevention of disease as well as encouragement to self medication by the health food industry.KeywordsEicosapentaenoic AcidFree Radical AttackStudy Lipid PeroxidationCopper Catalysed OxidationHarvey Research InstituteThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

Plasma essential fatty acids in pure and mixed race American Indians on and off a diet exceptionally rich in salmon

Eskimos on a traditional diet have unusually low prevalences of cardiovascular disease and cancer. One possible reason is the high intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) which is thought to account for the high EPA and low arachidonic acid (AA) levels in Eskimo plasma. People who also consume a traditional diet exceptionally rich in EPA are the Indians of the west coast of Vancouver Island. There are about 12,000 of these people and their traditional diet has been affected much less than that of the Eskimos. When on their traditional diet the Vancouver Island Indians, like the Eskimos, have high EPA and low AA levels in plasma. When eating European food, EPA levels are in the European range, but AA levels are still exceptionally low, a finding also reported from Eskimos living in Denmark. In a small mixed race group, AA levels were intermediate between those in pure Indians and in Europeans. The high EPA levels in Eskimos and West Coast Indians are related to diet. The low AA levels, in contrast, are probably genetically determined. Unusual disease patterns in these populations cannot be entirely attributed to diet.

Eicosapolyenoic acids of serum lipids of Japanese islanders with low incidence of cardiovascular diseases.

Japanese are unique among the peoples of developed countries in having a high intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (C 20:5) from fresh fish and this may in part contribute to their low incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Mass spectroscopic analyses of eicosapolyenoic acids (C20:3, C20:4 and C20:5) were carried out on the serum of aged persons living on Kohama island in Okinawa and known to have the lowest incidence of cardiovascular diseases in Japan. All but 4 of the 77 persons examined (73.94 +/- 7.81 years old) led active fishing-farming lives. The total amount of eicosapolyenoic acids in the serum of persons on Kohama island (46.77 +/- 7.46 mg/100 ml) was higher (p less than 0.001) than that in people on mainland Japan, owing to the higher intake of fresh fish (147.7 g/day). A positive correlation (p less than 0.01) was found between serum C 20:5 concentration (6.82 +/- 2.54 mg/100 ml) and high density lipoprotein concentration (55.38 +/- 13.83 mg/100 ml). In addition, there were positive correlations (p less than 0.01) between serum C 20:3 concentration (6.58 +/- 1.61 mg/100 ml) and total cholesterol (188.60 +/- 32.30 mg/100 ml), and triglyceride and skinfold thickness. The blood pressure level (p less than 0.01), incidence of abnormal ECG (p less than 0.05), and salt intake (6.2-8.3 g/day) estimated from urinalysis, were all lower than the average figures for Japanese of similar ages. No persons examined showed Q-wave on ECG. The percentage of smokers and drinkers were similar for Kohama island and mainland Japan.