Serial circulating omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and healthy ageing among older adults in the Cardiovascular Health Study: prospective cohort study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the longitudinal association between serial biomarker measures of circulating omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n3-PUFA) levels and healthy ageing.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingFour communities in the United States (Cardiovascular Health Study) from 1992 to 2015.Participants2622 adults with a mean (SD) age of 74.4 (4.8) and with successful healthy ageing at baseline in 1992-93.ExposureCumulative levels of plasma phospholipid n3-PUFAs were measured using gas chromatography in 1992-93, 1998-99, and 2005-06, expressed as percentage of total fatty acids, including α-linolenic acid from plants and eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid from seafoood.Main outcome measureHealthy ageing defined as survival without chronic diseases (ie, cardiovascular disease, cancer, lung disease, and severe chronic kidney disease), the absence of cognitive and physical dysfunction, or death from other causes not part of the healthy ageing outcome after age 65. Events were centrally adjudicated or determined from medical records and diagnostic tests.ResultsHigher levels of long chain n3-PUFAs were associated with an 18% lower risk (95% confidence interval 7% to 28%) of unhealthy ageing per interquintile range after multivariable adjustments with time-varying exposure and covariates. Individually, higher eicosapentaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid (but not docosahexaenoic acid) levels were associated with a lower risk: 15% (6% to 23%) and 16% (6% to 25%), respectively. α-linolenic acid from plants was not noticeably associated with unhealthy ageing (hazard ratio 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.83 to 1.02).ConclusionsIn older adults, a higher cumulative level of serially measured circulating n3-PUFAs from seafood (eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid), eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosapentaenoic acid (but not docosahexaenoic acid from seafood or α-linolenic acid from plants) was associated with a higher likelihood of healthy ageing. These findings support guidelines for increased dietary consumption of n3-PUFAs in older adults.

Effects of fish oil supplementation on glucose control and lipid levels among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…Mainly found in fish oils, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) involved in human physiology; received increasing attention in recent years due to its wide range of biological activities. Some studies showed that n-3 PUFAs may reduce the risk of CHD, ischemic stroke, alleviate inflammation and promote healthier cognitive aging [4][5][6][7][8][9]. For the past few years, animal and cell culture studies have demonstrated that n-3 PUFAs also have beneficial effects on prevention of T2DM through multiple mechanisms including insulin signaling, antiinflammatory actions, altering cell membrane function, and control the expression of glucose metabolism genes [10].…”

Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and healthy ageing

“…In a linked paper in this issue, Lai and colleagues (doi: 10.1136/bmj.k4067 ) investigate the association between circulating levels of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFAs) and healthy ageing in a sample of adults with a mean age of 74 years at baseline who were followed for up to 22 years in the Cardiovascular Health Study. 5 Among the 5888 participants enrolled from Medicare (aged 65 or more or receiving social security disability insurance) at four communities in the United States, 2622 eligible participants were included in this analysis.…”

Serving Local Fish in School Meals: The Nutritional Importance of Consuming Oily Fish

“…PUFA accounted for a large proportion of total lipids. n-3 and n-6 PUFA, which help prevent several diseases, especially cardiovascular conditions [2,3,39], accounted for 35-40% of total lipids. As previous studies confirmed [7][8][9], a diet providing large amounts of these fats is therefore recommended especially during childhood [12,13].…”