How relevant is the ratio of dietary n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to cardiovascular disease risk? Evidence from the OPTILIP study
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There has been much debate over the practical utility of the dietary ratio of n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in optimizing the benefits of n-3 fatty acids (C18-C22) on cardiovascular health. This review examines the supporting evidence from the OPTILIP study within the context of the emerging consensus on the value of this dietary metric. RECENT FINDINGS: The question of whether the ratio of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or total amounts of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids is of more importance to cardiovascular health has been addressed recently in a randomly controlled trial (OPTILIP) and in a stable isotope tracer study. These two studies were independently unanimous in concluding that the ratio of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is of no value in modifying cardiovascular disease risk. The latter study also showed that the absolute amounts of dietary linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid are of relevance to the efficiency of conversion of alpha-linolenic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. SUMMARY: This review should help to settle any outstanding controversy over the dietary ratio of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. It reinforces current recommendations to increase the consumption of preformed eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid in fish, and supports dietary measures to increase and decrease intakes alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid, respectively, to promote the endogenous synthesis of these longer chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
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Both n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fats are beneficial, little interaction between them is evident, and their ratio is not a practical metric to evaluate health effects.
“Because both n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fats are beneficial, little interaction between them is evident, and their ratio is not a practical metric to evaluate health effects.364, 374”
From Dietary and Policy Priorities for Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, and Obesity: A Comprehensive Review (2016) · cites this paper as [374]
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- Authors
- Griffin, B. A.
- Affiliations
- University of Surrey (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Griffin, Bruce A
- Venue
- Current Opinion in Lipidology
- Published
- 2008-02
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 57-62
- ISSN
- 0957-9672 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1972408356
- Cited by
- 168
- References
- 34
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 20
- FWCI
- 1.66
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Current Opinion in Lipidology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Open Research (University of Surrey) (submittedVersion)
- Surrey Research Insight Open Access (The University of Surrey) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
- Keywords
- n-6/n-3 ratio, cardiovascular risk, dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, fish consumption, stable isotope tracer studies
- MeSH terms
- Cardiovascular Diseases, Dietary Fats, Unsaturated, Humans, Risk Factors, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Fatty Acids, Omega-6
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