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Research: GELLERT and COLLEAGUES,
Listed in Issue 263
Abstract
GELLERT and COLLEAGUES, 1. Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Leibniz University Hannover, Germany. Electronic address: gellert@nutrition.uni-hannover.de ; 2. Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Leibniz University Hannover, Germany conducted a study to assess long-chain (LC) n-3 omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) status in middle-aged German women and identify variables affecting it.
Background
Long-chain (LC) omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health and cognitive decline. Several studies have shown that the LC n-3 PUFA status in women in western countries is low. The aim of this study was to assess the LC n-3 PUFA status in middle-aged German women and to identify variables that might affect the status.
Methodology
From the nationwide and cross-sectional German VitaMinFemin study, fatty acid levels in the erythrocyte membrane (% of total erythrocyte fatty acids) were ascertained for 446 women (40-60 years).
Results
The average omega-3 index (% of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) of the total study population was 5.49±1.17%. A total of 62.8% of women had a low omega-3 index (>4-6%). The omega-3 index was affected by age and smoking, with slightly higher values in women ≥50 years (p=0.032) and non-smokers (p=0.002). Women taking hormonal contraceptives showed a lower EPA level (p<0.001), a lower ratio of EPA/alpha-linoleic acid (p<0.001) and a higher ratio of DHA/EPA (p<0.001) than women without hormonal contraception.
Conclusion
The low LC n-3 PUFA status in middle-aged German women (40-60 years) is related to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and possibly other diseases and should therefore be improved. Further studies are needed to determine the influence of estrogen on the effect on LC n-3 PUFA status.
References
Gellert S1, Schuchardt JP2, Hahn A2. Low long chain omega-3 fatty acid status in middle-aged women. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 117:54-59. Feb 2017. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2017.01.009. Epub Jan 26 2017.
