Alpha-Linolenic acid intake is not beneficially associated with 10-y risk of coronary artery disease incidence: the Zutphen Elderly Study1�3
Alpha-Linolenic acid intake is not beneficially associated with 10-y risk of coronary artery disease incidence: the Zutphen Elderly Study1�3
Year: 2001
Authors: Oomen, C.M. Ock�, M.C. Feskens, E.J.M. Kok, F.J. Kromhout, D.
Publication Name: Am. J. Clin. Nutr.
Publication Details: Volume 74; Pages 457 – 463.
Abstract:
Data on the relation between -linolenic acid intake and coronary artery disease (CAD) are limited. Other dietary components appear to modify the reported relation between -linolenic acid intake and CAD. We examined whether dietary -linolenic acid intake was inversely associated with risk of CAD. We prospectively studied 667 men aged 64�84 y from the Zutphen Elderly Study who were free of CAD at baseline. Dietary intake was assessed by using a cross-check dietary history method. During the 10-y follow-up, we documented 98 cases of CAD. After adjustment for age, standard coronary risk factors, and intake of trans fatty acids and other nutrients, alpha-linolenic acid intake was not significantly associated with CAD risk. The relative risk of CAD for the highest compared with the lowest tertile of alpha-linolenic acid intake was 1.68 (95% CI: 0.86, 3.29). alpha-Linolenic acid intake from sources containing trans fatty acids was also nonsignificantly, yet positively, associated with CAD risk. alpha-Linolenic acid intake from foods that did not contain trans fatty acids was not associated with CAD risk, the relative risk of CAD for the highest compared with the lowest tertile was 1.15 (95% CI: 0.63, 2.11). We did not observe a beneficial effect of dietary alpha-linolenic acid intake on the risk of 10-y CAD incidence. Investigating this hypothesis was complicated by the association between intakes of -linolenic acid and trans fatty acids. Given the results of current prospective studies, a protective cardiac effect of alpha-linolenic acid is questionable. (Author�s abstract)
Dietary intervention trials report that consuming alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) beneficially affects eicosanoid metabolism, platelet aggregation, and arterial compliance. No consensus exists on the effect of ALA on serum lipid concentrations and blood pressure. The results of case-control studies on the association of markers for ALA intake and risk of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, or sudden cardiac death are conflicting. Previously reported cohort studies suggested that a higher intake of ALA may reduce CAD risk. In the present study the relationship between ALA intake and CAD incidence was examined. A nonsignificant, positive association between ALA intake and CAD risk that may be due to strong association between sources of ALA and trans fatty acids, for example hydrogenated oils and fats. This emphasizes the importance of adjusting for other dietary factors when examining the effects of ALA on CAD incidence. Imprecision in estimating ALA intake could have obscured an association with CAD. Intercorrelation between ALA and other dietary factors, mainly trans fatty acids, appears to have complicated the estimation of the independent effect of ALA. Another limitation of the present study was that it included only men aged 64�84 y at baseline. The etiology of CAD in elderly persons may be altered because of advanced coronary atherosclerosis. The beneficial effects of ALA on platelet aggregation or arterial compliance might be greater in young populations. These results on ALA intake and CAD risk are not consistent with those observed in many studies in which ALA intake was derived from vegetable or plant sources. In the present study, a borderline, significant inverse association was observed between the intake of oils and CAD incidence. The results of the present study could have been biased because oil consumption was limited in these Dutch elderly men. Further work examining the protective cardiac effect of ALA is necessary. (Editor�s comments)
Dietary intervention trials report that consuming alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) beneficially affects eicosanoid metabolism, platelet aggregation, and arterial compliance. No consensus exists on the effect of ALA on serum lipid concentrations and blood pressure. The results of case-control studies on the association of markers for ALA intake and risk of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, or sudden cardiac death are conflicting. Previously reported cohort studies suggested that a higher intake of ALA may reduce CAD risk. In the present study the relationship between ALA intake and CAD incidence was examined. A nonsignificant, positive association between ALA intake and CAD risk that may be due to strong association between sources of ALA and trans fatty acids, for example hydrogenated oils and fats. This emphasizes the importance of adjusting for other dietary factors when examining the effects of ALA on CAD incidence. Imprecision in estimating ALA intake could have obscured an association with CAD. Intercorrelation between ALA and other dietary factors, mainly trans fatty acids, appears to have complicated the estimation of the independent effect of ALA. Another limitation of the present study was that it included only men aged 64�84 y at baseline. The etiology of CAD in elderly persons may be altered because of advanced coronary atherosclerosis. The beneficial effects of ALA on platelet aggregation or arterial compliance might be greater in young populations. These results on ALA intake and CAD risk are not consistent with those observed in many studies in which ALA intake was derived from vegetable or plant sources. In the present study, a borderline, significant inverse association was observed between the intake of oils and CAD incidence. The results of the present study could have been biased because oil consumption was limited in these Dutch elderly men. Further work examining the protective cardiac effect of ALA is necessary. (Editor�s comments)
