Consumption of echium oil increases EPA and DPA in blood fractions more efficiently compared to linseed oil in humans
Kuhnt K, Weiss S, Kiehntopf M, Jahreis G
Published in Lipids in Health and Disease
Abstract
Randomized comparison of SDA-containing echium oil versus linseed oil on long-chain n-3 status.
Methodology
Two double-blind, parallel-arm randomized controlled studies: echium oil providing 5 g ALA + 2 g SDA (n=59) or linseed oil providing 5 g ALA (n=9) daily for 8 weeks, with fish oil (n=19) and olive oil (n=18) comparators
Key Findings
EPA and DPA in plasma, red blood cells and mononuclear cells were about 25% higher after echium oil than linseed oil, with relative effectiveness of roughly 100:25:10:0 for fish oil:echium oil:linseed oil:olive oil. DHA was not increased by either plant oil.
Conclusions
SDA-containing plant oil beats ALA-only oil for raising EPA and DPA, but neither maintains blood DHA without fish intake.
Limitations
Echium oil rather than Ahiflower oil; unbalanced group sizes with a very small linseed arm; 8 weeks; biomarker endpoints.
Supplements Studied
Daily intake of SDA-containing EO is a better supplement than LO for increasing EPA and DPA in blood. However, neither EO nor LO maintained blood DHA status in the absence of fish/seafood consumption.
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
Academic (Friedrich Schiller University Jena)
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