DHA/EPA in the news
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2021 5:40 pm
This meta-analysis has recently been in the news: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-22370-2
So short-chain ALA from flax, didn't improve mortality risk, while marine DHA/EPA made a significant impact. My understanding is that a person just taking in ALA from flax would not be able to synthesize enough to reach the DHA/EPA levels that saw the greatest reduction in mortality.
Jeff — You're great at giving perspective on studies like this. How should we thinking about the findings?
We found that, after multivariable adjustment for relevant risk factors, risk for death from all causes was significantly lower (by 15–18%, at least p < 0.003) in the highest vs the lowest quintile for circulating long chain (20–22 carbon) omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids). Similar relationships were seen for death from cardiovascular disease, cancer and other causes. No associations were seen with the 18-carbon omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid. These findings suggest that higher circulating levels of marine n-3 PUFA are associated with a lower risk of premature death.
In contrast, ALA was not significantly associated with all-cause mortality
So short-chain ALA from flax, didn't improve mortality risk, while marine DHA/EPA made a significant impact. My understanding is that a person just taking in ALA from flax would not be able to synthesize enough to reach the DHA/EPA levels that saw the greatest reduction in mortality.
Jeff — You're great at giving perspective on studies like this. How should we thinking about the findings?