The basic food basket (BFB), formed by the more economical products available, is used by less-affluent countries to establish the minimum daily food consumption to satisfy nutritional requirements in less-privileged individuals. There is no information about groups that depend on the BFB and in addition follow gluten-free diet (GF/BFB). We measured availability, cost, main ingredients and nutritional composition of GF/BFB. Data were collected in the area that was first in the social priority list in the capital city, matching BFB components with gluten-free equivalents (GF/BFB). GF/BFB characterized by being 42% less available, three times more costly (>500% higher for bread), with up to 69% lower protein content and with no fortifications, leaving at nutritional risk celiac individuals that depend on GF/BFB. Results raise concerns on the capacity of the GF/BFB to encourage adherence, maintain adequate nutritional status and quality of life in celiac patients.

Background. Celiac disease has a high prevalence globally and to date the only effective treatment is a strict gluten-free diet for life. Diet compliance is difficult due to current unhealthy eating habits and increasing overweight/obesity, especially for school age children. Objectives. To assess availability, cost and nutritional adequacy of gluten-free school snacks. Methods. Five store categories (large, regular-size and wholesale supermarkets, health food stores and corner shops) were assessed in districts representing low, middle and high socioeconomic levels. Three categories of school snacks were surveyed: dairy products (milk boxes, yogurts), cereals (in bulk, cereal bars) and baked goods (various cookies). Portions and prices were standardized and the closest gluten-containing products were matched for comparison. Availability, cost and nutritional quality (total calories, total fat, carbohydrates and sodium) were then evaluated. Results. A total of 1562 products were assessed. Gluten-free products were less available, with significant differences among the socioeconomic levels for cereals and baked goods (P<0.05). Also, they were more expensive than gluten-containing products. Except for cereal calories and sodium in the upper socioeconomic level, less than one third of the products available met FAO/WHO recommendations. Products meeting all 4 characteristics (total calories, total fat, carbohydrates and sodium) analyzed were 7.8%, 7.3% and 7.3% in the upper, middle and low socioeconomic level, respectively. Conclusions. Gluten-free dairy products, cereals and baked snacks available as snacks for school-age celiac children are fewer, with less variety and more expensive than gluten containing counterparts; the majority of them not meeting current nutritional recommendations.

SUMMARY:ALA is the precursor of EPA and DHA and its dietary availability is limited. Vegetable oils rich in ALA (48-64%) are alternatives for increasing its consumption. The conversion of ALA into EPA and DHA and the ratio (EPA+DHA/ALA) was evaluated in different tissues from male Wistar rats fed ALA -rich oils. Four groups (n=12/group) were fed for 21 days with oils from: a) corn (CO, 3% ALA); b) soybean (SO, 6% ALA); c) sacha inchi (SIO, 48% ALA) and; d) chia (ChO, 64% ALA). SO, SIO and ChO significantly increased ALA levels (p<0.05) in the tissues. Only SIO and ChO increased tissue EPA and DHA while reducing n-6/n-3 ratio (p<0.05). SIO and ChO are suggested as good sources of ALA to increase tissue EPA and DHA.KEYWORDS: Alpha linolenic acid; Chia oil; Docosahexaenoic acid; Eicosapentaenoic acid; n-3 LCPUFA; Sacha inchi oil RESUMEN: Aceites vegetales ricos en ácido alfa linolénico permiten un mayor almacenamiento de AGPICL n-3 en el plasma, hígado y tejido adiposo de la rata. ALA es precursor de EPA y DHA y sus fuentes dietarias son limitadas. Aceites ricos en ALA (48-64%) son una alternativa para incrementar su consumo. En este trabajo se evaluó la conversión de ALA a EPA y DHA, y la relación (EPA+DHA/ALA) en tejidos de ratas macho Wistar alimentadas con aceites con alto contenido en ALA. Cuatro grupos (n=12/grupo) recibieron durante 21 días aceite de: a) maíz (CO, 3% ALA); b) soja (SO, 6% ALA); c) sacha inchi (SIO, 48% ALA) y; d) chía (ChO, 64% ALA). SO, SIO y ChO incrementaron ALA (p<0,05) en los tejidos. Solo SIO y ChO incrementaron el EPA y DHA, disminuyendo la relación n-6/n-3 (p<0,05). Se propone SIO y ChO como fuentes de ALA para incrementar EPA y DHA en los tejidos. PALABRAS-CLAVE: Aceite de chía; Aceite de sacha inchi; Ácido alfa linolénico; Ácido docosahexaenoico; Ácido eicosapentaenoico; AGPICL n-3Citation/Cómo citar este artículo: Valenzuela R, Barrera C, Ayala JM, Sanhueza J, Valenzuela A. 2014. Vegetable oils rich in alpha linolenic acid allow a higher accretion of n-3 LCPUFA in the plasma, liver and adipose tissue of the rat. Grasas Aceites 65 (2): e026. doi: http://dx