Transgenic Canola Oil Improved Blood Omega-3 Profiles: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Healthy Adults.

Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-ω3 PUFA), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), play key roles in physiological functions and disease prevention. The nutrient gap in meeting LC-ω3 intake recommendations in the U.S.

Relationships between seafood consumption during pregnancy and childhood and neurocognitive development: Two systematic reviews.

Abundant data are now available to evaluate relationships between seafood consumption in pregnancy and childhood and neurocognitive development. We conducted two systematic reviews utilizing methodologies detailed by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Scientific Advisory Committee 2020-2025. After reviewing 44 publications on 106,237 mother-offspring pairs and 25,960 children, our technical expert committee developed two conclusion statements that included the following: "Moderate and consistent evidence indicates that consumption of a wide range of amounts and types of commercially available seafood during pregnancy is associated with improved neurocognitive development of offspring as compared to eating no seafood.

An abundance of seafood consumption studies presents new opportunities to evaluate effects on neurocognitive development.

The relationship between seafood eaten during pregnancy and neurocognition in offspring has been the subject of considerable scientific study for over 25 years. Evaluation of this question led two scientific advisory committees to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAC), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations with the World Health Organization (FAO/WHO), Health Canada, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the U.S.

Fatty Acids in Ten Species of Fish Commonly Consumed by the Anishinaabe of the Upper Great Lakes.

The Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority (CORA) in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, has been monitoring contaminant concentrations in the fillet portions of fish from the 1836 treaty-ceded waters of lakes Superior, Huron, and Michigan since 1991. The goal is to provide up to date consumption advice for their CORA member tribes.

Mercury, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Selenium, and Fatty Acids in Tribal Fish Harvests of the Upper Great Lakes.

The Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority monitors fish contaminants in Anishinaabe (Great Lake Native American) tribal fisheries. This article updates previously reported trends in two persistent bioaccumulative toxic (PBT) substances that are the primary contributors to consumption advisory limits for these fish: methylmercury (MeHg) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Also, we report, for the first time, an analysis of nutritional benefit bioindicators and metrics in these same Upper Great Lakes fish harvests: selenium (Se) and omega-3 fatty acids (PUFA-3s).

Directly quantified dietary n-3 fatty acid intakes of Canadian toddlers are lower than current dietary recommendations.

To date, few studies have evaluated the intake of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in young North American children and current estimates are based on indirect approaches which have concerning limitations. Furthermore, there is a lack of available knowledge regarding the proportion of children meeting current dietary recommendations for the consumption of long-chain n-3 PUFA as α-linolenic acid (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The objective of the present study was to directly quantify the intake of n-3 PUFA in toddlers aged 2 to 3 years and determine if intakes met international recommendations.

Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid and Arachidonic Acid in Early Life: What Is the Best Evidence for Policymakers?

Background: A wealth of information on the functional roles of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) from cellular, animal, and human studies is available. Yet, there remains a lack of cohesion in policymaking for recommended dietary intakes of DHA and ARA in early life. This is predominantly driven by inconsistent findings from a relatively small number of randomised clinical trials (RCTs), which vary in design, methodology, and outcome measures, all of which were conducted in high-income countries.

Efficacy of a unique omega-3 formulation on the correction of nutritional deficiency and its effects on cardiovascular disease risk factors in a randomized controlled VASCAZEN(®) REVEAL Trial.

Low blood levels of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) have been reported to be associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths. Systematic studies measuring LC n-3 PUFA blood levels (pre and post-treatment) in defined subjects, and monitoring the correction of nutritional deficiency with a pure LC n-3 PUFA formulation in sufficient doses, while monitoring CVD risk factors are lacking. We tested the efficacy of a novel LC n-3 PUFA Medical Food formulation (VASCAZEN(®), > 90 % pure with a 6:1 eicosapentaenoic acid-(EPA):docosahexaenoic acid-(DHA) ratio; 6:1-OM3), to correct such deficiency and determine the concomitant effects on lipid profiles.

Proceedings from the 2013 Canadian Nutrition Society Conference on Advances in Dietary Fats and Nutrition.

The science of lipid research continues to rapidly evolve and change. New knowledge enhances our understanding and perspectives on the role of lipids in health and nutrition. However, new knowledge also challenges currently held opinions.

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation does not reduce vulnerability to atrial fibrillation in remodeling atria.

Background: Prophylactic supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) reduce vulnerability to atrial fibrillation (AF). The effect of PUFAs given after cardiac injury has occurred is unknown.

Objective: To investigate using a model of pacing-induced cardiac injury, the time course of development of injury and whether it was altered by postinjury PUFAs.

Dietary supplementation with fish gelatine modifies nutrient intake and leads to sex-dependent responses in TAG and C-reactive protein levels of insulin-resistant subjects.

Previous studies have shown that fish protein, as well as marine n-3 PUFA, may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk profile. The objectives of this study were to investigate the combined effects of fish gelatine (FG) and n-3 PUFA supplementation on (1) energy intake and body weight, (2) lipid profile and (3) inflammatory and CVD markers in free-living insulin-resistant males and females. Subjects were asked to consume, in a crossover study design with two experimental periods of 8 weeks each, an n-3 PUFA supplement and n-3 PUFA supplement plus FG (n-3 PUFA + FG).

Effects of a supplementation of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids with or without fish gelatin on gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in obese, insulin-resistant subjects.

Aim: To investigate gene expression changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) following an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and n-3 PUFA plus fish gelatin (+FG) supplementation.

Methods: A transcriptome comparison of 8-week supplementation with n-3 PUFA and n-3 PUFA+FG was carried out in PBMCs of 16 obese insulin-resistant subjects.

Results: Erythrocyte n-3 PUFA concentration increased and plasma triglycerides decreased significantly without altering inflammatory parameters after both supplementations.

Effects of diets high in walnuts and flax oil on hemodynamic responses to stress and vascular endothelial function.

Background: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk, although the mechanisms are incompletely understood. In a previous article, we showed significant reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and several markers of inflammation with increasing intake of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) from walnuts and flax.

Objective: To examine effects of ALA on cardiovascular responses to acute stress, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, and blood concentrations of endothelin-1 and arginine-vasopressin (AVP).

Oral docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3) is differentially incorporated into phospholipid pools and differentially metabolized to eicosapentaenoic acid in tissues from young rats.

The present study assessed the effect of oral supplementation with docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5n-3) on the levels of serum and tissue lipid classes and their fatty acid compositions including individual phospholipid types in rat liver, heart, and kidney. Sprague-Dawley rats received daily oral gavage over 10 days as corn oil without (controls) or with purified DPA in free fatty acid form (21.2 mg/day).

Validation of the use of peripheral blood mononuclear cells as surrogate model for skeletal muscle tissue in nutrigenomic studies.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) offer a significant promise for gene expression analyses as a substitute for tissues that are not easily accessible. The objective of this study was to validate the use of PBMCs for gene expression analysis as a marker of nutritional intervention as an alternative to skeletal muscle tissue (SMT) biopsies. We performed a transcriptome comparison of PBMCs versus SMT after an 8-week supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in 16 obese and insulin-resistant subjects.

n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids alter expression of fibrotic and hypertrophic genes in a dog model of atrial cardiomyopathy.

Background: We previously showed that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) reduce vulnerability to atrial fibrillation (AF). The mechanisms underlying this effect are unknown.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to use a genome-wide approach to identify gene expression profiles involved in a new model of AF vulnerability and to determine whether they were altered by PUFA therapy.

Correlation of omega-3 levels in serum phospholipid from 2053 human blood samples with key fatty acid ratios.

Background: This research was conducted to explore the relationships between the levels of omega-3 fatty acids in serum phospholipid and key fatty acid ratios including potential cut-offs for risk factor assessment with respect to coronary heart disease and fatal ischemic heart disease.

Methods: Blood samples (n = 2053) were obtained from free-living subjects in North America and processed for determining the levels of total fatty acids in serum phospholipid as omega-3 fatty acids including EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5 n-3) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6 n-3) by combined thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatographic analyses. The omega-3 levels were correlated with selected omega-6: omega-3 ratios including AA (arachidonic acid, 20:4n-6): EPA and AA:(EPA+DHA).

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Numerous epidemiological and controlled interventional trials have supported the health benefits of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in the form of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) plus eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) from fish and fish oils as well as from algal sources. The beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease and related mortality including various risk factors for cardiovascular disease (particularly lowering circulating triglyceride levels and the triglyceride:HDL-cholesterol ratio) have been observed in the absence of any concomitant blood cholesterol lowering. With appropriate dosages, consistent reductions in both fasting and postprandial triglyceride levels and moderate increases in fasting HDL-cholesterol levels have been observed with algal DHA in the majority of trials.

Plasma omega-3 and psychological distress among Nunavik Inuit (Canada).

Marine omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids have been associated with beneficial effects in mental health. Cultural and social changes have been related to a decline in mental health of the Inuit, but the role of diet has received scant attention. We examined the relationship between psychological distress (PD) and plasma n-3 among 368 Nunavik Inuit aged 18-74 years who took part in a survey in 1992.

Acute fish oil and soy isoflavone supplementation increase postprandial serum (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids and isoflavones but do not affect triacylglycerols or biomarkers of oxidative stress in overweight and obese hypertriglyceridemic men.

Chronic consumption of fish and fish oil high in (n-3) PUFA reduces triacylglycerols (TG) but may increase oxidative stress, whereas consumption of soy isoflavones may reduce oxidative stress. Elevated serum TG and oxidative stress are considered cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, but the effects of acute (n-3) PUFA and soy isoflavones on these CVD risk factors are unknown. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of acutely supplementing a high-fat, high-fructose meal with fish oil and isoflavone placebo (FO) and fish oil placebo and soy isoflavones (ISO).

Plasma n-3 fatty acids and psychological distress in aboriginal Cree Indians (Canada).

Objective: To examine the relationship between psychological distress (PD) and plasma n-3 long-chain (LC) PUFA, i.e. EPA, docosapentaenoic acid (DPAn-3) and DHA.

Direct diet quantification indicates low intakes of (n-3) fatty acids in children 4 to 8 years old.

Estimates of essential fatty acid intakes, including (n-3) PUFA, are available in pediatric populations based on limited indirect approaches. Furthermore, recommended intakes for short- and long-chain (LC) (n-3) PUFA have emerged for this population. This study provides direct quantification of fatty acid intakes in children aged 4-8 y.

Dietary cod protein reduces plasma C-reactive protein in insulin-resistant men and women.

Chronic low-grade inflammation has been associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Recently, we showed that cod protein (CP) improved insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant subjects. In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary CP compared with those of other animal proteins on plasma concentrations of inflammatory markers, lipids, and lipoproteins in insulin-resistant subjects.

A macadamia nut-rich diet reduces total and LDL-cholesterol in mildly hypercholesterolemic men and women.

Epidemiologic studies and clinical trials have demonstrated that the unique fatty acid profile of nuts beneficially affects serum lipids/lipoproteins, reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Nuts are low in SFA and high in PUFA and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). Macadamia nuts are a rich source of MUFA.

Long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce atrial vulnerability in a novel canine pacing model.

Aim: Our objective was to assess the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) on atrial fibrillation (AF) vulnerability and atrial structure in a new model of atrial cardiomyopathy.

Methods And Results: Dogs were studied in three groups: seven control dogs (UNPACED) and 24 dogs undergoing simultaneous atrioventricular pacing (for 2 weeks) assigned to placebo treatment (SAVP-PLACEBO, n = 12 dogs) or oral n-3 PUFAs (1 g/day) treatment (SAVP-PUFA, n = 12 dogs). SAVP-PUFA dogs had less AF inducibility (percentage of burst attempts leading to AF episodes: 5.