Modification of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids via complementary food enhances n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis in healthy infants: a double blinded randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Feasible dietary modifications of the precursor fatty acid profile via n-3 PUFA-rich vegetable oil favoured n-3 LC-PUFA synthesis in the complementary feeding period when LC-PUFA intake from breast milk and formula is decreasing.

Metabolism and functional effects of plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids in humans

“…There are now a small number of similar studies conducted in infants and children examining the impact of increased intake of ALA [170][171][172][173]. Schwartz et al demonstrated a small increase in concentrations of EPA, DPA and DHA in plasma after increased ALA consumption via meals containing rapeseed oil in 4-10 month old infants [170]. Gracious et al reported higher EPA and DPA concentrations, but no change in DHA concentration, in plasma after 16 weeks of stepped dose increases in ALA intake up to 6.6 g/d in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years [171].…”

PUFA and LC-PUFA intake during the first year of life: can dietary practice achieve a guideline diet?

“…In contrast, in the DINO-RO study group, the replacement of corn oil by small amounts of rapeseed oil (about 1.6 g per meal) led to significantly higher plasma n-3 LC-PUFA levels (Schwartz et al, 2009). This effect might be even stronger in the Guideline Diet in which higher amounts of rapeseed oil (15 g per day) are used in homemade complementary meals.…”

“…Different dietary backgrounds and age periods have been examined. Recent studies on LC-PUFA-supplemented infants over relatively long age periods point to a strong decrease in LC-PUFA synthesis with age (Carnielli et al, 2007;Agostoni et al, 2009), whereas the DINO study suggests an effective n-3 LC-PUFA synthesis when dietary intake is low but n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in complementary feeding is favorable (Schwartz et al, 2009). …”

“…Interventional study: DINO The Dortmund Intervention Trial for Optimization of Infant Nutrition (DINO) is a double-blinded, randomized, controlled intervention trial carried out between 2005(Schwartz et al, 2009. DINO examined the feasibility of replacing corn oil, rich in LA, by rapeseed oil, rich in ALA, in complementary meals and tested the effectiveness of this strategy on the LC-PUFA pattern of plasmas as biomarker.…”

“…From the age of 2 months, parents kept a daily (weighed) diet record except for breast milk by reading the scale of bottles (for example, formula) or using electronic food scales (to the nearest 1 g) for solid foods. The intake of breast milk was calculated on the basis of the estimated total energy expenditure as described previously (Schwartz et al, 2009).…”