n-3 index is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors but is not improved by walnut intake in free-living elderly: a single-blind, randomised controlled trial
n-3 index, the erythrocyte proportion of the EPA + DHA fatty acids is a clinical marker of age-related disease risk. It is unclear whether regular intake of α-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-derived n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, raises n-3 index in older adults. Of the 356 participants at the Loma L...
| Autores: | , , , , , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión aceptada para publicación |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2022 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universitat Pompeu Fabra |
| Repositorio: | Repositorio Digital de la UPF |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:repositori.upf.edu:10230/54366 |
| Acceso en línea: | http://hdl.handle.net/10230/54366 http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0007114522001751 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Cardiometabolic disease Walnuts n-3 Index α-Linolenic acid |
| Sumario: | n-3 index, the erythrocyte proportion of the EPA + DHA fatty acids is a clinical marker of age-related disease risk. It is unclear whether regular intake of α-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-derived n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, raises n-3 index in older adults. Of the 356 participants at the Loma Linda, CA centre from the original study, a randomly selected subset (n 192) was included for this secondary analysis (mostly Caucasian women, mean age 69 years). Participants were assigned to either the walnut (15 % of daily energy from walnuts) or the control group (usual diet, no walnuts) for 2 years. Erythrocyte fatty acids were determined at baseline and 1-year following intervention. No differences were observed for erythrocyte EPA, but erythrocyte DHA decreased albeit modestly in the walnut group (-0·125 %) and slightly improved in the control group (0·17 %). The change in n-3 index between the walnut and control groups was significantly different only among fish consumers (those who ate fish ≥ once/month). Longitudinal analyses combining both groups showed significant inverse association between the 1-year changes of the n-3 index and fasting plasma TAG (ß = -10), total cholesterol (ß = -5·59) and plasma glucose (ß = -0·27). Consuming ALA-rich walnuts failed to improve n-3 index in elders. A direct source of EPA/DHA may be needed to achieve desirable n-3 index, as it is inversely associated with cardiometabolic risk. Nevertheless, incorporating walnuts as part of heart healthy diets is still encouraged. |
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