55923
document
Margarines fortified with α-linolenic acid , eicosapentaenoic acid , or docosahexaenoic acid alter the fatty acid composition of erythrocytes but do not affect the antioxidant status of healthy adults . We aimed to investigate the effects of increased intake of α-linolenic acid ( ALA ) , EPA , or DHA incorporated into a food matrix on the fatty acid composition of erythrocytes and on biomarkers of oxidant/antioxidant status . To this end , a controlled dietary study was conducted in 74 healthy men and women . The participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 interventions in which margarines fortified with either 10 weight percent ALA , EPA , or DHA ethyl esters replaced their normal spread for 6 wk . The total intakes of ALA , EPA , and DHA were 4.4 , 2.2 , and 2.3 g/d , respectively . Consuming EPA increased the erythrocyte proportion of EPA ( 394 % ) and the omega-3 index ( sum of EPA and DHA , 38 % ) . Consumption of DHA increased erythrocyte DHA ( 91 % ) , the omega-3 index ( 98 % ) , and EPA ( 137 % ) . The omega-3 index increased to a significantly greater extent in the DHA group than in the EPA group . ALA did not increase erythrocyte EPA or the omega-3 index . We found no change in plasma uric acid or antioxidant capacity in any of the groups . Plasma malondialdehyde ( MDA ) increased with the EPA and DHA interventions . All 3 interventions decreased erythrocyte linoleic acid hydroperoxides but did not affect their MDA concentrations . In conclusion , the intake of both isolated EPA and DHA incorporated into margarine resulted in an enhanced incorporation of EPA and DHA into erythrocytes . Our findings indicate that DHA is quantitatively superior to EPA in view of the EPA+DHA tissue incorporation and also that 4 g/d ALA is not sufficient to increase the omega-3 index over a 6-wk period .
55924
Intervention_Pharmacological
α-linolenic acid
55925
Intervention_Pharmacological
eicosapentaenoic acid
55926
Intervention_Pharmacological
docosahexaenoic acid
55927
Intervention_Physical
DHA ethyl esters
55928
Outcome_Physical
erythrocyte proportion of EPA
55929
Outcome_Physical
omega-3 index
55930
Outcome_Physical
erythrocyte DHA
55931
Outcome_Physical
EPA
55932
Outcome_Physical
omega-3 index
55933
Outcome_Physical
erythrocyte EPA
55934
Outcome_Physical
omega-3 index
55935
Participant_Sample-size
74
55936
Participant_Condition
healthy
55937
Participant_Sex
men and women