Cited by 281Fatty Acid Research and HealthAquaculture Nutrition and GrowthLipid metabolism and biosynthesis

Dietary α-linolenic acid and health-related outcomes: a metabolic perspective

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Burdge, Graham C, Calder, Philip C·2006·Nutrition Research Reviews

Abstract

alpha-Linolenic acid (alphaLNA; 18: 3n-3) is essential in the human diet, probably because it is the substrate for the synthesis of longer-chain, more unsaturated n-3 fatty acids, principally EPA (20: 5n-3) and DHA (22: 6n-3), which confer important biophysical properties on cell membranes and so are required for tissue function. The extent to which this molecular transformation occurs in man is controversial. The present paper reviews the recent literature on the metabolism of alphaLNA in man, including the use of dietary alphaLNA in beta-oxidation, recycling of carbon by fatty acid synthesis de novo and conversion to longer-chain PUFA. Sex differences in alphaLNA metabolism and the possible biological consequences are discussed. Increased consumption of EPA and DHA in fish oil has a number of well-characterised beneficial effects on health. The present paper also reviews the efficacy of increased alphaLNA consumption in increasing the concentrations of EPA and DHA in blood and cell lipid pools, and the extent to which such dietary interventions might be protective against CVD and inflammation. Although the effects on CVD risk factors and inflammatory markers are variable, where beneficial effects have been reported these are weaker than have been achieved from increasing consumption of EPA+DHA or linoleic acid. Overall, the limited capacity for conversion to longer-chain n-3 fatty acids, and the lack of efficacy in ameliorating CVD risk factors and inflammatory markers in man suggests that increased consumption of alphaLNA may be of little benefit in altering EPA+DHA status or in improving health outcomes compared with other dietary interventions.

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  • Vegetarian dietary patterns are associated with lower concentrations of chronic low-grade inflammation and endothelial function markers than non-vegetarian diets.

    “Dietary patterns consistent with vegetarianism were associated with lower concentrations of markers of chronic low-grade inflammation and endothelial function when compared with non-vegetarian diets (294 -296) .”
  • Taoist adults vegetarian for 5-55 years had lower plasma CRP (mean 0.77 mg/l) than age- and sex-matched non-vegetarians (mean 1.30 mg/l).

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  1. Vinton NE, Heckenlively JR, Laidlaw SA, Martin DA, Foxman SR, Ament ME & Kopple JD (1990) Visual function in patients undergoing parenteral nutrition. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 52, 895-902.

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Authors
Burdge, G. C., & Calder, P. C.
Affiliations
University of Southampton (GB)
Corresponding author
Calder, Philip C
Venue
Nutrition Research Reviews
Published
2006-06
Volume
19
Issue
1
Pages
26-52
ISSN
  • 0954-4224 (ISSN-L)
  • 1475-2700
OpenAlex
W2158718693
Cited by
281
References
193
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 20
FWCI
13.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nutrition Research Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biochemistry › Lipid metabolism and biosynthesis
Keywords
alpha-linolenic acid, EPA, docosahexaenoic acid, fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids, sex differences, cardiovascular risk, inflammation, fatty acid beta-oxidation, de novo lipogenesis, membrane lipids, dietary intervention

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