Relations between n−3 fatty acid status and cardiovascular disease risk factors among Quebecers123

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ABSTRACT

Background:

Epidemiologic evidence shows an inverse relation between fish consumption and death from ischemic heart disease. This beneficial effect is attributed to n−3 fatty acids.

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between plasma phospholipid concentrations of the n−3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and various cardiovascular disease risk factors among Quebecers.

Design:

The study population consisted of 1460 subjects aged 18–74 y who participated in the 1990 Quebec Heart Health and Nutrition Survey. Data were obtained through home interviews and clinic visits.

Results:

Expressed as the percentage of total fatty acids in plasma phospholipids, the geometric means of EPA, DHA, and their combination were 0.47%, 1.19%, and 1.70%, respectively. Concentrations of n−3 fatty acids were positively associated with fish intake. We found positive associations between EPA and total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, plasma glucose, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. We found positive associations between DHA and total cholesterol, the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerols, systolic blood pressure, and plasma glucose and insulin. We also found positive associations between the ratio of EPA to arachidonic acid and total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure and a negative association with the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol.

Conclusions:

Our results indicate that concentrations of EPA and DHA in plasma phospholipids reflected Quebecer fish consumption. Results also show that EPA and the ratio of EPA to arachidonic acid can positively influence HDL-cholesterol concentrations.

KEY WORDS

n−3 Fatty acids
eicosapentaenoic acid
docosahexaenoic acid
fish intake
cardiovascular disease risk factor
cholesterol
LDL
HDL
triacylglycerol
blood pressure
glucose
insulin
Quebec

Cited by (0)

1

From the Public Health Research Unit and the Lipid Research Center, CHUL Research Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Ste-Foy, Canada; the Departments of Social and Preventive Medicine and of Food Sciences and Nutrition, Laval University, Ste-Foy, Canada; and the Department of Human Biology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada.

2

Supported by the Medical Research Council of Canada.

3

Address reprint requests to É Dewailly, Public Health Research Unit, Laval University Medical Research Center, 2400 d’Estimauville, Beauport G1E 7G9, Quebec, Canada. E-mail: [email protected].