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Polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations in young men and women consuming their habitual diets

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2007

Lucy Bakewell ,
Graham C. Burdge  and
Philip C. Calder
Lucy Bakewell
Affiliation:
Institute of Human Nutrition, Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Division, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 7PX, UK
Graham C. Burdge*
Affiliation:
Institute of Human Nutrition, Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Division, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 7PX, UK
Philip C. Calder
Affiliation:
Institute of Human Nutrition, Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Division, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 7PX, UK
*
*Corresponding author: Dr G. C. Burdge, fax +44 (0)238 04379, email g.c.burdge@soton.ac.uk
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Abstract

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Young women of reproductive age appear to have a greater capacity than men to convert the essential fatty acid α-linolenic acid to DHA. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that gender-related differences in n-3 PUFA metabolism are reflected in the concentrations of n-3 PUFA in plasma lipids. The subjects were healthy men (n 13) and women (n 23) aged 18–35 years consuming their habitual diet. Dietary habits were assessed by food-frequency questionnaire. Venous blood samples were collected following an overnight fast. For the women, blood collection took place on the tenth day of their menstrual cycle. The fatty acid concentrations of plasma phosphatidylcholine, triacylglycerol, NEFA and cholesteryl esters were determined by gas chromatography. There were no significant differences between men and women in their consumption of protein, carbohydrate, total fat, alcohol, individual fatty acids and selected micronutrients. DHA concentration alone was significantly higher in plasma phosphatidylcholine (31%, p=0·02), triacylglycerol (71%, p=0·02) and NEFA (33%, p=0·01), but not cholesteryl esters, in women compared with men. There were no significant differences between men and women in the concentrations of any other fatty acids measured. Overall, the present data support the suggestion that greater DHA synthesis in women than men results in a higher DHA concentration in plasma lipids.

Keywords

Docosahexaenoic acidBloodGenderPolyunsaturated fatty acids
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 96 , Issue 1 , January 2006 , pp. 93 - 99
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2006

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