HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Gebauer, S. K Articles by Kris-Etherton, P. M Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Gebauer, S. K Articles by Kris-Etherton, P. M Agricola Articles by Gebauer, S. K Articles by Kris-Etherton, P. M

n–3 Fatty acid dietary recommendations and food sources to achieve essentiality and cardiovascular benefits^1,2,3

¹ From the Department of Nutritional Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (SKG, TLP, and PMK-E), and the Lipid and Diabetes Research Center, Saint Luke's Hospital, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO (WSH)

ABSTRACT

Dietary recommendations have been made for n–3 fatty acids, including -linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to achieve nutrient adequacy and to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. These recommendations are based on a large body of evidence from epidemiologic and controlled clinical studies. The n–3 fatty acid recommendation to achieve nutritional adequacy, defined as the amount necessary to prevent deficiency symptoms, is 0.6–1.2% of energy for ALA; up to 10% of this can be provided by EPA or DHA. To achieve recommended ALA intakes, food sources including flaxseed and flaxseed oil, walnuts and walnut oil, and canola oil are recommended. The evidence base supports a dietary recommendation of 500 mg/d of EPA and DHA for cardiovascular disease risk reduction. For treatment of existing cardiovascular disease, 1 g/d is recommended. These recommendations have been embraced by many health agencies worldwide. A dietary strategy for achieving the 500-mg/d recommendation is to consume 2 fish meals per week (preferably fatty fish). Foods enriched with EPA and DHA or fish oil supplements are a suitable alternate to achieve recommended intakes and may be necessary to achieve intakes of 1 g/d.

Key Words: Dietary recommendations • EPA • eicosapentaenoic acid • DHA • docosahexaenoic acid • cardiovascular disease • n–3 fatty acids • fish oil • fish intake